Non-invasive methods for iron overload evaluation in dysmetabolic patients.

Introduction: Although hyperferritinemia may reflect the inflammatory status of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), approximately 33% of hyperferritinemia cases reflect real hepatic iron overload.

Aim: To evaluate a non-invasive method for assessing mild iron overload in patients with NAFLD using 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxometry, serum hepcidin, and the expression of ferritin subunits.

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD.

Effects of intragastric balloon placement in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease corresponds to a clinical entity that affects liver function triggered by the accumulation of fat in the liver and is linked with metabolic dysregulation.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of the intragastric balloon (IGB) in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease through the assessment of liver enzymes, imaging and several metabolic markers.

Methods: A comprehensive search was done of multiple electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane and Google Scholar) and grey literature from their inception until February 2021.

Latin American Association for the study of the liver (ALEH) practice guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently represents an epidemic worldwide. NAFLD is the most frequently diagnosed chronic liver disease, affecting 20-30% of the general population. Furthermore, its prevalence is predicted to increase exponentially in the next decades, concomitantly with the global epidemic of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and sedentary lifestyle.

Ultrasound elastography in patients with fatty liver disease.

Hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver disease, occurs due to the accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes. When it becomes chronic, lobular inflammation develops and the disease can evolve to hepatic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma. Early diagnosis is desirable because patients diagnosed in the early stage of the disease respond better to treatment.

Hepatitis C virus eradication improves immediate and delayed episodic memory in patients treated with interferon and ribavirin.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with impairment of cognitive function and mood disorders. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on cognitive function and mood disorders.

Method: A prospective exploratory one arm study was conducted.

Strategies, models and biomarkers in experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease research.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease encompasses a spectrum of liver diseases, including simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is currently the most dominant chronic liver disease in Western countries due to the fact that hepatic steatosis is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome and drug-induced injury. A variety of chemicals, mainly drugs, and diets is known to cause hepatic steatosis in humans and rodents.

Experimental models of liver fibrosis.

Hepatic fibrosis is a wound healing response to insults and as such affects the entire world population. In industrialized countries, the main causes of liver fibrosis include alcohol abuse, chronic hepatitis virus infection and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. A central event in liver fibrosis is the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which is triggered by a plethora of signaling pathways.

Pro-atherosclerotic markers and cardiovascular risk factors one year after liver transplantation.

Aim: To investigate pro-atherosclerotic markers (endothelial dysfunction and inflammation) in patients one year after liver transplantation.

Methods: Forty-four consecutive liver transplant (LT) outpatients who were admitted between August 2009 and July 2010, were followed-up by for 1 year, exhibited no evidences of infection or rejection, all of them underwent tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens were consecutively enrolled. Inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IFNγ, IL-8, and IL-10), endothelial biomarkers (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, MPO, adiponectin, PAI-1, SAP, SAA, E-selectin, and MMP-9), high sensitive C-reactive protein, and Framingham risk score (FRS) were assessed.

S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine attenuates liver fibrosis in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

S-Nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) is a water soluble primary S-nitrosothiol capable of transferring and releasing nitric oxide and inducing several biochemical activities, including modulation of hepatic stellate cell activation. In this study, we evaluated the antifibrotic activity of SNAC in an animal model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced in Sprague-Dawley rats fed with a choline-deficient, high trans fat diet and exposed to diethylnitrosamine for 8 weeks. The rats were divided into three groups: SNAC, which received oral SNAC solution daily; NASH, which received the vehicle; and control, which received standard diet and vehicle.

Plasmatic higher levels of homocysteine in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease, which includes a spectrum of hepatic pathology such as simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. The increased serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) may be associated with hepatic fat accumulation. Genetic mutations in the folate route may only mildly impair Hcy metabolism.

Decreased immunoexpression of survivin could be a potential marker in human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression?

Background/aim: Regulation of apoptosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been a theme of growing debate. Although no other study assessed the role of survivin in NAFLD, its expression has been reported in hepatic carcinogenesis because of other aetiological factors with relevant discrepancies. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of survivin immunoexpression by tissue microarray along the whole spectrum of NAFLD, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

A role for mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in non alcoholic steatohepatitis related-cirrhosis.

Unlabelled: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses the whole spectrum of steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and NASH-related cirrhosis (NASH/Cir). Although molecular advances have been made in this field, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is not completely understood. The gene expression profiling associated to NASH/Cir was assessed, in an attempt to better characterize the pathways involved in its etiopathogenesis.

Prevention and reversion of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in OB/OB mice by S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the role oral administration of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), a NO donor drug, in the prevention and reversion of NASH in two different animal models.

Methods: NASH was induced in male ob/ob mice by methionine-choline deficient (MCD) and high-fat (H) diets. Two animal groups received or not SNAC orally for four weeks since the beginning of the treatment.

Combination of N-acetylcysteine and metformin improves histological steatosis and fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aim: There is no proven medical therapy for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Oxidative stress and insulin resistance are the mechanisms that seem to be mostly involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in combination with metformin (MTF) in improving the aminotransferases and histological parameters (steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning, and fibrosis) after 12 months of treatment.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in ob/ob mice treated with yo jyo hen shi ko (YHK): effects on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP).

YHK has antioxidant properties, has a hypoglycemic effect, and may reduce plasma lipid levels. In this study, we examined the hepatic expression of PPAR-alpha and -gamma and MTP in ob/ob mice receiving or not receiving YHK. Ob/ob mice were assigned to receive oral YHK (20 mg/kg/day) fed solution (methionine/choline-deficient [MCD] diet+YHK group) or vehicle (MCD group) by gavage for 4 weeks.

Effects of bariatric surgery on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: preliminary findings after 2 years.

Background And Aim: Although nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is very common among morbidly obese patients, the effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on inflammation and fibrosis related to NAFLD is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery on NAFLD with a follow up of 2 years.

Methods: Eighteen consecutive NAFLD patients with body mass index >40 kg/m(2) undergoing gastroplasty with RYGB were enrolled, and wedge liver biopsy was obtained at the operation.

Yo jyo hen shi ko, a novel Chinese herbal, prevents nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in ob/ob mice fed a high fat or methionine-choline-deficient diet.

Background: Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Yo jyo hen shi ko (YHK) is a complex compound purported to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) by blocking the propagation of radical-induced reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the effect of YHK in experimental NASH.

Hepatic gene expression profile associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis protection by S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine in ob/ob mice.

Background/aims: To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) prevention by S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC), an NO donor that inhibits lipid peroxidation, we examined hepatic differentially expressed genes between ob/ob mice receiving or not SNAC treatment concomitantly with a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet.

Methods: Ob/ob mice were assigned to receive oral SNAC fed solution (MCD+SNAC group) or vehicle (MCD group) by gavage. After four weeks, histopathological analysis and microarray hybridizations were conducted in liver tissues from groups.

Oral administration of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine prevents the onset of non alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats.

Aim: To evaluate the potential of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) in inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the effect of oral SNAC administration in the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an animal model.

Methods: NAFLD was induced in Wistar male rats by choline-deficient diet for 4 wk. SNAC-treated animals (n=6) (1.