Work

Treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Year: 2006

Type: review

Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common and may progress to cirrhosis and its complications. The pathogenesis of steatosis and cellular injury is thought to be related mostly to insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Therefore, management entails identification and treatment of metabolic risk factors, improving insulin sensitivity, and increasing antioxidant defences in the liver. Weight loss and exercise improve insulin sensitivity. Bariatric surgery may improve liver histology in patients with morbid obesity. Insulin sensitising drugs showed promise in pilot trials as have a number of hepatoprotective agents. Further randomised, well controlled trials are required to determine the efficacy of these drugs.

Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal

DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2005.042200

Authors: L A Adams, P Angulo

Institutions: The University of Western Australia, Fremantle Hospital, Mayo Clinic

Language: English

Topic: Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Hepatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Medical Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council