Research Article Details
Article ID: | A22810 |
PMID: | 26202295 |
Source: | Hepatol Int |
Title: | Lean NASH: distinctiveness and clinical implication. |
Abstract: | INTRODUCTION: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) in the absence of overweight and/or obesity, defined by the anthropometric parameter, body mass index (BMI), has been designated as 'lean NASH.' While maintaining a close pathophysiological link with metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR), the presence of subtle alterations in measures of total body and regional adiposity not exceeding the designed cut-offs, are hallmarks of 'lean NASH.' MATERIAL AND METHODS: Available literature related to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in lean or non-obese individuals and its pathogenesis in general published in English language journals till the time of manuscript preparation were reviewed and critically analysed. ANALYSIS: Being a closely related but variant phenotype of NASH, its features metabolically resemble the well-characterized entity 'metabolically obese normal weight (MONW)' individuals. Apart from total body adiposity, distribution of fat in different body compartments has assumed greater pathophysiologic relevance in characterizing 'lean NASH'. Detection of NASH in stringently defined non-obese individuals, by both BMI and waist circumference indices, indicates existence of a subset of NASH in which fat compartmentalization at ectopic sites is not picked up by the anthropometric yardsticks used. Volume [Quantity] and biological behavior of the visceral and deep subcutaneous adipose tissues contribute to this variant of NASH in non-obese subjects. Genetic predisposition to IR and MS along with the environmental influences like childhood nutritional status, dietary composition and gut microbiome possibly play pathogenetic role. CONCLUSION: The most important concern is in the principles of nomenclature within syndromes where clinical dissimilarities exist despite biological similarities. Till a uniformly acceptable pathophysiological and/or etiology-based classification emerges, the term "lean NASH" would continue to provide us an opportunity to ponder over and refine this subset of fatty liver in non-obese people and potentially significant liver disease. |
DOI: | 10.1007/s12072-013-9477-5 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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 |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |