BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological, clinical and biochemical characteristics of non alcoholic steatohepatitis to understand its pathogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1993 to June 2000, 44 patients were selected on histological criteria. Alcohol intake, blood pressure, weight, glycaemia, lipid, immune, iron profiles hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations were analyzed. Patients were re-examined thereafter or in June 2000. RESULTS: Twenty one women and 10 men were included (mean age=54). Nineteen patients were asymptomatic (61.3%). Patients often presented with an increase in alanine aminotransferase. This was correlated with steatosis (P=0.008). Hypertension, excess weight, abnormal serum glucose levels and dyslipidaemia were respectively observed in 10 (32.2%), 24 (77.4%), 16 (51.6%) and 18 (58.1%) patients. Thirteen of these patients (41.9%) presented abnormal autoantibodies titers without autoimmune hepatitis; 18 (58.1%) presented an iron overload. A mutation of the HFE gene was detected in 14 of 25 patients (51.6%). Liver iron concentrations were not correlated to the extent of fibrosis extension or with mutations. CONCLUSION: Increased alanine aminotransferase levels usually revealed non alcoholic steatohepatitis. A high prevalence of autoantibodies, iron overload and mutation of the HFE gene were detected. Non alcoholic steatohepatitis should be diagnosed because it can be associated with cirrhosis.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological, clinical and biochemical characteristics of non alcoholic steatohepatitis to understand its pathogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1993 to June 2000, 44 patients were selected on histological criteria. Alcohol intake, blood pressure, weight, glycaemia, lipid, immune, iron profiles hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations were analyzed. Patients were re-examined thereafter or in June 2000. RESULTS: Twenty one women and 10 men were included (mean age=54). Nineteen patients were asymptomatic (61.3%). Patients often presented with an increase in alanine aminotransferase. This was correlated with steatosis (P=0.008). Hypertension, excess weight, abnormal serum glucose levels and dyslipidaemia were respectively observed in 10 (32.2%), 24 (77.4%), 16 (51.6%) and 18 (58.1%) patients. Thirteen of these patients (41.9%) presented abnormal autoantibodies titers without autoimmune hepatitis; 18 (58.1%) presented an iron overload. A mutation of the HFE gene was detected in 14 of 25 patients (51.6%). Liver iron concentrations were not correlated to the extent of fibrosis extension or with mutations. CONCLUSION: Increased alanine aminotransferase levels usually revealed non alcoholic steatohepatitis. A high prevalence of autoantibodies, iron overload and mutation of the HFE gene were detected. Non alcoholic steatohepatitis should be diagnosed because it can be associated with cirrhosis.
Authors: Paola Loria; Amedeo Lonardo; Francesca Leonardi; Cristina Fontana; Lucia Carulli; Anna Maria Verrone; Andrea Borsatti; Marco Bertolotti; Fabio Cassani; Alberto Bagni; Paolo Muratori; Dorval Ganazzi; Francesco B Bianchi; Nicola Carulli Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2003-11 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Raj Vuppalanchi; Robert J Gould; Laura A Wilson; Aynur Unalp-Arida; Oscar W Cummings; Naga Chalasani; Kris V Kowdley Journal: Hepatol Int Date: 2011-05-10 Impact factor: 6.047
Authors: Ruben Hernaez; Edwina Yeung; Jeanne M Clark; Kris V Kowdley; Frederick L Brancati; Wen Hong Linda Kao Journal: J Hepatol Date: 2011-02-24 Impact factor: 25.083