Clinical, biochemical and histological correlations in a group of non-drinker subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2007 Jul-Sep;70(3):277-84.

Abstract

The correlation between biochemistry, imaging-studies and histology is a matter of controversy in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the major pathophysiology of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is still unknown. We aimed to perform a comparative analysis between clinical, biochemical and histological variables of NAFLD. One-hundred and five NAFLD patients (F/M: 51/54), were studied, all with no-alcohol intake. The groups were followed-up for six months. Necroinflammation and fibrosis were more severe in patients with diabetes (p = 0.002, and p = 0.0001, respectively). In comparing NAFL to NASH, plasma nitric-oxide and malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher (p = 0.05, for-both), and vitamin-E and-C levels were significantly lower in NASH (p = 0.002, and 0.001, respectively). The serum ferritin levels were higher in NASH patients (p = 0.016). While the ultrasonographic grade was significantly higher, the liver-spleen density gradient was significantly lower in NASH group (p = 0.017, and 0.005, respectively). Within a six month period, serum ALT levels dropped into the normal range in 23/76 (30.3%) patients and serum ALT in the 6th month correlated significantly with the severity of steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in initial biopsy (p = 0.023, 0.035, 0.011, respectively). In conclusion, the probability of severe liver disease is higher in patients with elevated-ALT in NAFLD. Serum ferritin levels have some prognostic significance in liver damage and fibrosis. Overt diabetes is predictive of advanced fibrosis and inflammation. However impaired glucose-tolerance is not. The advice on diet and exercise for six months after diagnosis may be a good strategy in NAFLD. The patients with normal-ALT without hepatomegaly, morbid-obesity and diabetes seem to have a good prognosis, however some of these patients may still require liver biopsy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Ascorbic Acid / blood
  • Diabetes Complications / pathology
  • Exercise
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism*
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Ferritins / blood
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Hepatitis / metabolism
  • Hepatitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide / blood
  • Prospective Studies
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vitamin E / blood
  • Vitamins / blood

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin E
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Ferritins
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Ascorbic Acid