Recent Clinical Research on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Gastroenterology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 August 2024 | Viewed by 3423

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Transplant Center, Presbyterian Saint Luke's Medical Center, Denver, CO 80218, USA
Interests: hepatitis; liver cirrhosis; alcoholic liver disease; liver failure; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The last decade saw enormous progress in our ability to treat and control chronic hepatitis C virus liver disease. In more recent years, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a significant cause of liver disease, affecting millions worldwide. This chronic condition is characterized by the build-up of fat in the liver, which can lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis. While the traditional risk factors for liver disease, such as hepatitis C, have declined due to effective treatment and prevention measures, NAFLD has become more prevalent due to changes in lifestyle and diet.

In this Special Issue, we welcome authors to submit papers on the global changes in disease prevalence. Clinical advances in the diagnoses; factors associated with disease progression; and the results of ongoing trials and advances in disease treatment are encouraged.

Dr. Gerond V. Lake-Bakaar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • NAFLD
  • NASH
  • cirrhosis
  • hepatocellular carcinoma

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 685 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Steatotic Liver Disease Based on a New Nomenclature in the Japanese Population: A Health Checkup-Based Cross-Sectional Study
by Takao Miwa, Satoko Tajirika, Nanako Imamura, Miho Adachi, Ryo Horita, Tatsunori Hanai, Taku Fukao, Masahito Shimizu and Mayumi Yamamoto
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(4), 1158; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13041158 - 19 Feb 2024
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Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence and characteristics of steatotic liver disease (SLD) based on a recently introduced nomenclature in the Japanese health checkup population. SLD was evaluated using liver ultrasonography, and participants were categorized into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic [...] Read more.
This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence and characteristics of steatotic liver disease (SLD) based on a recently introduced nomenclature in the Japanese health checkup population. SLD was evaluated using liver ultrasonography, and participants were categorized into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol associated steatotic liver disease (MetALD), alcohol-associated/related liver disease (ALD), and cryptogenic SLD groups. The prevalence and characteristics of the SLD subclasses were assessed, and subgroup analyses were conducted for the non-obese (body mass index [BMI] ≤ 25 kg/m2) and lean (BMI ≤ 23 kg/m2) populations. Among the 694 participants, with a median age of 47 years and comprising 54% males, the prevalence of MASLD, MetALD, ALD, and cryptogenic SLD was 26%, 2%, 1%, and 2%, respectively. A remarkable difference was observed in the prevalence of SLD subclasses according to age, sex, and BMI. Subgroup analyses revealed heterogeneous demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters between the SLD categories. Individuals with MetALD had higher gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, lower platelet counts, and higher fibrosis-4 index than did those with MASLD. Furthermore, the prevalence of non-obese and lean MASLD was 13% and 6%, respectively. This study provides preliminary information on the prevalence of SLD based on a new nomenclature in the Japanese population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Clinical Research on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
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12 pages, 911 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Risk Factors of MASLD and Liver Fibrosis amongst the Penitentiary Population in Catalonia: The PRISONAFLD Study
by Jesús Rivera-Esteban, Alba Jiménez-Masip, Sergio Muñoz-Martínez, Salvador Augustin, Rafael A. Guerrero, Pablo Gabriel-Medina, Roser Ferrer-Costa, Francisco Rodríguez-Frías, Elisabet Turu, Andrés Marco, Juan M. Pericàs and on behalf of the PRISONAFLD Study Group Collaborators
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(23), 7276; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12237276 - 24 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1016
Abstract
Background and Aims: The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, particularly metabolic syndrome (MetS), has increased among the prison population. Nevertheless, we have limited data on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of this syndrome. We aimed to investigate the prevalence [...] Read more.
Background and Aims: The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, particularly metabolic syndrome (MetS), has increased among the prison population. Nevertheless, we have limited data on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of this syndrome. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of MASLD and MASLD-associated liver fibrosis in the penitentiary population in Catalonia, Spain. Method: A cross-sectional observational study involving eight penitentiary centers. Participants had at least one metabolic disorder and were at a closed-regimen penitentiary. Individuals with concomitant liver diseases and/or alcohol risk consumption were excluded. Significant fibrosis and MASLD were defined as liver stiffness ≥8 kPa and a controlled attenuation parameter ≥275 dB/m by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), respectively. After exclusions, metabolic inmates with VCTE were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of MASLD and MASLD-associated significant fibrosis. Results: Out of the 4338 inmates studied, 1290 (29.7%) had metabolic disorders, and 646 (14.9%) underwent VCTE. The mean age was 48.0 years (SD 12.1), and 89.5% were male. MASLD prevalence was 33.9%. Significant fibrosis and MASLD-associated significant fibrosis were found in 16.4% and 9.4% of inmates, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, T2D, waist circumference, MetS, and higher ALT values were identified as independent risk factors for MASLD and MASLD-associated significant fibrosis amongst the prison population. Conclusions: Metabolic disorders including MASLD are highly prevalent among inmates. The prevalence of significant fibrosis seems notably higher than that of the general population, underscoring the need for targeted screening programs and therapeutic interventions in the incarcerated population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Clinical Research on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
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21 pages, 1741 KiB  
Article
Hepatic Involvement across the Metabolic Syndrome Spectrum: Non-Invasive Assessment and Risk Prediction Using Machine Learning
by Adelaida Solomon, Călin Remus Cipăian, Mihai Octavian Negrea, Adrian Boicean, Romeo Mihaila, Corina Beca, Mirela Livia Popa, Sebastian Mihai Grama, Minodora Teodoru and Bogdan Neamtu
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(17), 5657; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12175657 - 30 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1126
Abstract
Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are inextricably linked conditions, both of which are experiencing an upward trend in prevalence, thereby exerting a substantial clinical and economic burden. The presence of MetS should prompt the search for metabolic-associated liver disease. [...] Read more.
Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are inextricably linked conditions, both of which are experiencing an upward trend in prevalence, thereby exerting a substantial clinical and economic burden. The presence of MetS should prompt the search for metabolic-associated liver disease. Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Non-invasive tests (NIT) such as the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB4), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR), hepatic steatosis index (HIS), transient elastography (TE), and combined scores (AGILE3+, AGILE4) facilitate the detection of liver fibrosis or steatosis. Our study enrolled 217 patients with suspected MASLD, 109 of whom were diagnosed with MetS. We implemented clinical and biological evaluations complemented by transient elastography (TE) to discern the most robust predictors for liver disease manifestation patterns. Patients with MetS had significantly higher values of FIB4, APRI, HSI, liver stiffness, and steatosis parameters measured by TE, as well as AGILE3+ and AGILE4 scores. Machine-learning algorithms enhanced our evaluation. A two-step cluster algorithm yielded three clusters with reliable model quality. Cluster 1 contained patients without significant fibrosis or steatosis, while clusters 2 and 3 showed a higher prevalence of significant liver fibrosis or at least moderate steatosis as measured by TE. A decision tree algorithm identified age, BMI, liver enzyme levels, and metabolic syndrome characteristics as significant factors in predicting cluster membership with an overall accuracy of 89.4%. Combining NITs improves the accuracy of detecting patterns of liver involvement in patients with suspected MASLD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Clinical Research on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: selected miRNAs assessed in NAFLD patients
Authors: Agata Michalak
Affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology with Endoscopy Unit, 8 Jaczewskiego Str., 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Abstract: Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were found to participate in the progression of various liver pathologies. On the other hand, there are attempts to verify the role of hematological indices in patients with liver disorders, as well. Aims and methods: Our goal was to assess the relationships between selected miRNAs and hematological indices in the course of MAFLD. One hundred ninety seven persons were enrolled in the study: 97 with MAFLD and 100 healthy volunteers in the control group. Serological expression of miR-126-3p, miR-197-3p and miR-1-3p was evaluated in all examined patients. Hematological markers were also assessed: mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume to platelet ratio (MPR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Then correlations between evaluated indices were performed. A diagnostic value of miRNAs together with proposed cut-off in the research group were measured with area under the curve (AUC). Results: The expression of examined miRNAs (miR-126-3p, miR-197-3p and miR-1-3p) in NAFLD group differed significantly in comparison to controls; a concentration of miR-126-3p and miR-1-3p was higher and miR-197-3p - lower (p<0,0001). Furthermore, miR-197-3p correlated positively with PLR and negatively with PDW (p<0,05). MiR-126-3p turned out to be the most powerful diagnostic marker among assessed miRNAs in examined MAFLD group with AUC of 0,716 for the cut-off >9,49 amol/µl (p<0,0001); AUC of miR-197-3p was 0,672 for the cut-off <0,32 amol/µl (p<0,0001). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, serological expression of miR-126-3p, miR-197-3p and miR-1-3p was mostly explored in patients with hepatocellular injury and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our investigation seems to be the first one that shows a direct linkage between miRNAs and direct markers of liver cirrhosis. MiRNAs could be potentially perceived as probable noninvasive indices of the rebuilt within extracellular matrix in ALC patients.

Title: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cardio-vascular mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cosmina Theodora Diaconu1,*, Teodor Salmen1, Cristina Ioana Bica 1, Valeria-Anca Pietrosel 2 , Anca Pantea Stoian2,3, Cristian Guja 2,3
Affiliation: 1 Doctoral School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; 2 Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, “Prof. Dr N.C.Paulescu” National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 030167 Bucharest, Romania; 3 Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;

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