Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease – an etiological approach

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined as the presence of fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis) either on imaging or on liver histology only after the exclusion of secondary causes of fat accumulation in the liver (e.g. high alcohol drinking, drugs and other medical ailments). Considering the fact that there are many causes of hepatic steatosis, the term NAFLD is reserved for the liver disease that is predominantly associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The presence of inflammation and cell injury defines steatohepatitis (NASH) which has the potential to evolve into cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma, being, therefore, the stage of NAFLD most amenable to treatment. Among the treatments available, the most important are: weight loss, vitamin E and, last but not least, probiotics.