Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinico-pathologic spectrum of conditions ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although simple or bland steatosis follows a relatively benign clinical course, NASH can potentially progress to cirrhosis (approximately 10 to 15 percent) and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD occurs in an estimated 25 to 30 percent of the US general population, while NASH is reported in 2 to 3 percent of the population. Even though common explanation for the increased prevalence of NAFLD is the increased rate of obesity, the risk of developing NAFLD and NASH is not limited to overweight and obese individuals. Currently, the only way to diagnose NASH or to assess the stage of fibrosis is by obtaining a liver biopsy. Liver biopsy is invasive, expensive, and associated with potential risks, including post biopsy pain, bleeding, organ perforation, and even death; serious complications can occur in 0.3 percent of liver biopsies with 0.01 percent being fatal. This review examines the current strategies for development of the non-invasive techniques that will one day replace liver biopsy and serve as a non-invasive gold standard for the diagnosis and staging of NASH.
Keywords: Obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Bax
Current Molecular Medicine
Title: Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tests for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Volume: 10 Issue: 2
Author(s): J. M. Estep, A. Birerdinc and Z. Younossi
Affiliation:
Keywords: Obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Bax
Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinico-pathologic spectrum of conditions ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although simple or bland steatosis follows a relatively benign clinical course, NASH can potentially progress to cirrhosis (approximately 10 to 15 percent) and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD occurs in an estimated 25 to 30 percent of the US general population, while NASH is reported in 2 to 3 percent of the population. Even though common explanation for the increased prevalence of NAFLD is the increased rate of obesity, the risk of developing NAFLD and NASH is not limited to overweight and obese individuals. Currently, the only way to diagnose NASH or to assess the stage of fibrosis is by obtaining a liver biopsy. Liver biopsy is invasive, expensive, and associated with potential risks, including post biopsy pain, bleeding, organ perforation, and even death; serious complications can occur in 0.3 percent of liver biopsies with 0.01 percent being fatal. This review examines the current strategies for development of the non-invasive techniques that will one day replace liver biopsy and serve as a non-invasive gold standard for the diagnosis and staging of NASH.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Estep M. J., Birerdinc A. and Younossi Z., Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tests for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Current Molecular Medicine 2010; 10 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652410790963321
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652410790963321 |
Print ISSN 1566-5240 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5666 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
3D-QSAR analysis of MCD inhibitors by CoMFA and CoMSIA
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Metabolic Control Analysis and its Applications
Current Bioinformatics Recent Advances in Nanotechnology-Based Diagnosis and Treatments of Diabetes
Current Drug Metabolism Oxidative Stress Genes, Antioxidants and Coronary Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis and Metabolic Abnormalities in First-Episode Psychosis
Current Psychiatry Reviews Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells as Biomarkers for Prediction of Cardiovascular Outcomes
Current Medicinal Chemistry Establishing Maternal Tolerance: The Role of Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) in Pregnancy and Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia
Current Women`s Health Reviews Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and QPLD Studies of Piperazine Derivatives as Potential DPP-IV Inhibitors
Medicinal Chemistry Inflammasomes in the Pathophysiology of Maternal Obesity: Potential Therapeutic Targets to Reduce Long-Term Adverse Health Outcomes in the Mother and Offspring
Current Vascular Pharmacology Editorial (Hot Topic: Synthetic, Natural and Related Compounds: New Approach to Chronic Diseases Studies)
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry New Pharmacologic Approaches to Prevent Thromboembolism in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Current Vascular Pharmacology Therapeutic Potential of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors for Endothelial Dysfunction- Related Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeting Myocardial Metabolism for the Treatment of Stable Angina
Current Pharmaceutical Design Breast-Milk Characteristics Protecting Against Allergy
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Chronic Latent Magnesium Deficiency in Obesity Decreases Positive Effects of Vitamin D on Cardiometabolic Risk Indicators
Current Vascular Pharmacology Concurrent And Longitudinal Association Between Glycemic Control And Self Reported Medication Adherence Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Malaysia
Current Diabetes Reviews Cortisol Regulation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Drugs as Possible Triggers of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Literature Search - Update 2015
Current Clinical Pharmacology Advances in Current Diabetes Proteomics: From the Perspectives of Label- free Quantification and Biomarker Selection
Current Drug Targets Toll Like Receptors Signaling Pathways as a Target for Therapeutic Interventions
Current Signal Transduction Therapy