title: Effect of chronic alcohol consumption on the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
abstract: A number of epidemiologic studies show a protective effect of light to moderate daily alcohol consumption on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although these small amounts of ethanol may prevent fatty liver, they may also be a risk factor for other diseases such as breast and colon cancer. Those individuals who have underlying hepatic steatosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) should not use ethanol chronically since the data available at present do not support a beneficial effect of alcohol in this situation. Especially overweight and obese individuals may be more susceptible towards alcohol even at moderate doses. Animal experiments show a negative effect of ethanol on liver histology in either dietary or genetic NASH models. In addition, patients with NASH reveal a significant increased risk for hepatocellular cancer (HCC) even with social alcohol consumption. Thus, subjects with underlying NASH should abstain from alcohol at any amounts.
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre of Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ; 2 Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology & Hepatology), Salem Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Germany ; 3 Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany ; 4 Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Helmut K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Seitz
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre of Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ; 2 Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology & Hepatology), Salem Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Germany ; 3 Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany ; 4 Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre of Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ; 2 Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology & Hepatology), Salem Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Germany ; 3 Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany ; 4 Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hellerbrand
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre of Alcohol Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany ; 2 Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology & Hepatology), Salem Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Germany ; 3 Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany ; 4 Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Suthat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liangpunsakul
keywords: Alcohol; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)