Research Article Details
| Article ID: | A18601 |
| PMID: | 27040340 |
| Source: | Yakugaku Zasshi |
| Title: | [An Overview of NAFLD/NASH in Japan]. |
| Abstract: | Clinical identity of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has established it as a chronic liver disease since the 1990s in the USA and in the 21st century in Japan, although its significance is not well recognized in Japanese society. It is characterized as a chronic liver disease, differentiated from viral liver disease and alcoholic liver disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and NASH. NASH is considered to be the hepatic manifestation of a metabolic syndrome. It is understood that among individuals with NAFLD, NAFL is a benign condition, whereas NASH can progress to cirrhosis and ultimately to hepatocellular carcinoma. The precise mechanism of NASH is poorly understood, although insulin resistance, oxidative stress and multiple parallel hits theory have been reported. Computed tomography and ultrasonography are performed to detect NAFLD, but these are not sufficient to distinguish between NAFL and NASH. The distinct diagnosis of NAFL and NASH is currently made by liver biopsy, requiring hospitalization. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop simple, non-invasive markers that can accurately distinguish between NASH and NAFL. In Japan, the number of NASH patients is estimated to be about 1 million. The treatment of NASH comprises changes in life style, including eating habits and exercise that will lead to weight loss, and drug intake, including vitamin E. Based on the global increase in obese people, NASH as a chronic liver disease will become the most important chronic liver disease in the 21st century, not only in Japan but also worldwide. |
| DOI: | 10.1248/yakushi.15-00264-1 |
| Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S08 | Lifestyle measures | Lifestyle intervention; weight loss; diet adaptation; dietary interventions; lifestyle modifications; Exercise | -- | -- | Details |
| S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
| S04 | Anti-oxidative stress | oxidative stress | α-tocopherol: antioxidant | Vitamin E | Details |
| Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
| Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
| D388 | Vitamin E | Supplement | DB00163 | NR1I2; ALOX5; DGKA | Anti-inflammatory | Under clinical trials | Details |
| D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |