106 As compared with controls, both the intervention groups showed improvement in lipid profiles, insulin sensitivity and anthropometric

indices but the improvement in metabolic profile was greater in the combined diet-exercise group than those assigned to exercise only. At present, there is no registered drug treatment for NAFLD. Early studies suggest that insulin sensitizers and antioxidants may confer some benefit whereas ursodeoxycholic acid107 and pentoxifylline108 have not survived the scrutiny of randomized trials. In patients with morbid obesity, bariatric surgery appears safe and may improve hepatic steatosis and necroinflammation.109 While bariatric surgery has become more widely available in Asia, data on outcomes with Y-27632 supplier respect to NAFLD are awaited but improvement in BMI and liver tests

were reported in one Japanese study.110 Stemming the tide of the metabolic syndrome and its consequences will be a considerable challenge in Asia, as elsewhere. With respect to NAFLD, the approach to management will have to encompass both narrow and broad perspectives. With respect to the latter, these should include efforts to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome (e.g. by lifestyle C646 order interventions in childhood), public education and facilitating and encouraging physical activity and more appropriate (healthier) dietary habits among adults. Equally important is the need to retain a narrow focus on those individuals at risk of hepatic and/or metabolic complications. These would include not only individuals with type 2 diabetes and the obese, but also the “average” individual (either slightly

overweight or not) who may still be at risk of serious sequelae. Identifying host susceptibility factors through collaborative efforts and enrolment in genome wide association studies is critical. On the other hand, the influence of environmental factors such as diet needs to be explored further. Asian diets vary considerably and studying how these nutritional factors might influence fatty liver will be important. selleck kinase inhibitor Finally, current studies addressing the relationship between this liver disorder and cardiovascular disease have been mainly cross-sectional or retrospective in design. The ultimate acceptance of NAFLD into the fold of the metabolic syndrome rests on well-conducted prospective studies to clarify this association. “
“Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardiac-related mortality. To assess the association between endothelial dysfunction markers (Endocan, high mobility group box 1 [HMGB1], and anti-endothelial cell antibodies [AECAs]) and the risk of CAD in NAFLD. Ninety-one patients scheduled for coronary angiography for chest pain were included. Of these, 77 had NAFLD (85% with documented CAD).