Severe steatosis induces portal hypertension by systemic arterial hyporeactivity and hepatic vasoconstrictor hyperreactivity in rats.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease. The presence of portal hypertension has been demonstrated in NAFLD prior to development of inflammation or fibrosis, and is a result of extrahepatic and intrahepatic factors, principally driven by vascular dysfunction. An increased intrahepatic vascular resistance potentially contributes to progression of NAFLD via intralobular hypoxia.

Toxic hepatitis due to a food supplement: "Natural" is no synonym for "harmless".

Background/aims: Herbal products are increasingly used in modern medicine for numerous indications. They are not considered as drugs and thus often not linked to side effects.

Material: A 77-year-old patient presented with silent icterus and biochemical evidence of hepatocellular damage.