Lorena Airaghi1, Mario Rango2, Diletta Maira3, Valentina Barbieri2, Luca Valenti3, Rosa Lombardi3, Pietro Biondetti4, Silvia Fargion3, Anna Ludovica Fracanzani3. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: lorena.airaghi@policlinico.mi.it. 2. Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Excellence Center for Advanced MR Studies, IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 4. Radiology Unit, IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Foundation, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is recognized not only as part of the metabolic syndrome but also as an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this study, NMR spectroscopy method, together with perfusion techniques, was used to detect subclinical brain vascular damage in subjects with NAFLD without overt atherosclerosis risk factors (i.e. hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity). RESULTS: The results suggest that subjects with histologically proven NAFLD have a reduced cerebral perfusion (CBFr) confined to limited brain areas, i.e., left semioval center and posterior cingulate cortex. No statistically significant differences in CBFr values were found, dividing the NAFLD cohort into subgroups, considering NAS score, presence/absence of NASH/fibrosis, and degree of steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that NAFLD per se may be involved in cerebral atherosclerotic disease. It will be interesting to draw longitudinal studies to determine whether these changes could evolve in more serious cerebral injury.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is recognized not only as part of the metabolic syndrome but also as an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this study, NMR spectroscopy method, together with perfusion techniques, was used to detect subclinical brain vascular damage in subjects with NAFLD without overt atherosclerosis risk factors (i.e. hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity). RESULTS: The results suggest that subjects with histologically proven NAFLD have a reduced cerebral perfusion (CBFr) confined to limited brain areas, i.e., left semioval center and posterior cingulate cortex. No statistically significant differences in CBFr values were found, dividing the NAFLD cohort into subgroups, considering NAS score, presence/absence of NASH/fibrosis, and degree of steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that NAFLD per se may be involved in cerebral atherosclerotic disease. It will be interesting to draw longitudinal studies to determine whether these changes could evolve in more serious cerebral injury.
Authors: Zachary P Fricker; Alison Pedley; Joseph M Massaro; Ramachandran S Vasan; Udo Hoffmann; Emelia J Benjamin; Michelle T Long Journal: Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2018-11-23 Impact factor: 11.382