Recent update: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been traditionally conceptualized as a histological disease spectrum which progresses from simple steatosis or pure fatty liver through liver fibrosis or Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) to cirrhosis and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH can progress to cirrhosis, has very high cardiovascular mortality and is a leading cause of HCC worldwide. Recently, the role of various genetic and environmental factors in pathogenesis and progression of the disease have evolved. The lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, dietary changes, and few drugs with sensitization or antioxidant are available as treatment options. Several newer pharmacological agents are in different stages of clinical trial, and individualized therapy might be a reality in the near future. In view of increasing prevalence of NASH, even in a developing country like ours, a literature search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE to identify recent publications. We intend to present the epidemiology, and recent inroads made into the pathogenesis, and management of NASH.

Keywords

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• nonalcoholic steatohepatitis