Electron microscopic findings in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: is there a difference between hepatosteatosis and steatohepatitis?

Background And Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has long been accepted as benign; however, recent evidence suggests that the disease may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, although the natural course of the disease is still unclear. This study was designed to comparatively evaluate electron microscopic features of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: Quantitative and semi-quantitative ultrastructural evaluations were performed on liver biopsies from 23 patients, 10 with NAFL and 13 with NASH.