PHOENIX, Ariz. March 22, 2022 Severe fatty liver disease is commonly associated with obesity, but according to a review of scientific literature conducted by researchers at Temple University and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that even normal weight individuals can contract this potentially life-threatening condition.
Why this occurs is poorly understood, though some of the suspected liver-disease risk-factors for lean individuals include diet, genetics, ethnicity, and even menopausal status for women, according to the scientific review published today in the journal Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome.
Because fatty liver disease, in most cases, is a clinically silent condition, the absence of early signs and symptoms, coupled with normal laboratory and body measurements, blind clinicians to the presence of severe liver disease in normal weight individuals, said Johanna DiStefano, Ph.D., Professor in TGens Metabolic and Fibrotic Disease Program, and head of TGens Diabetes and Fibrotic Disease Unit.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver condition in the U.S., and may affect an estimated 24% of the global population. The incidence of NAFLD is climbing worldwide, making it a significant health threat. Its most severe form can progress to a condition called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by liver inflammation and oftentimes fibrosis, and can lead to cirrhosis, cancer of the liver, and death. All are difficult to diagnose and treat.
Surprise finding for lean patients
One study showed that between the time they were initially diagnosed and follow-up examinations lean individuals with NAFLD were at greater risk for developing severe liver disease than those with higher body mass index (BMI).
This unexpected finding suggests that lean individuals experience a faster rate of fibrosis progression compared to those with higher BMI, Dr. DiStefano said.
While obesity is the strongest independent risk factor for NAFLD, even in cases of severe obesity some individuals do not develop severe liver disease, suggesting there may be genetic factors at work; some genes that promote liver disease, and others that are protective against the condition.
For example, one study of more than 900 lean Japanese participants showed a doubling of NAFLD risk among those who carried the well-studied PNPLA3 gene.
Also, women are at high risk of developing NAFLD following the menopausal transition, likely due to hormone-related metabolic changes resulting from the loss of protective estrogens and other factors, the review said.
No consensus on NAFLD screening
There is no global consensus for how to screen for NAFLD due to the uncertain evidence supporting diagnostic tests, treatment options, cost-effectiveness and the potential long-term benefits of screening. And for lean individuals, guidelines for NAFLD are even less clear:
The development and distribution of consistent screening and risk assessment guidelines will be critical to ensure optimal clinical management for all NAFLD patients, the review said.
Assessing NAFLD risk among lean individuals may depend on greater awareness of menopausal status, genetic factors, ethnicity especially among those of Asian Indian and Hispanic ancestry alcohol consumption, and dietary factors, including added sugars, refined carbohydrates, saturated fat and cholesterol. A major question is whether NAFLD in lean individuals represents a distinct disease requiring specific management, as suggested by many researchers, or is it a type of classical obesity-associated NAFLD that will respond to the current approach of weight loss, and the control of insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and excessive fat in blood?
Much more work is needed not only to address risk factors but also to promote greater awareness among practitioners about the potential health risks associated with NAFLD among lean individuals, said Glenn S. Gerhard, M.D., Chair of the Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
Early detection, combined with the appropriate steps to mitigate NAFLD through lifestyle modifications and clinical interventions, may effectively prevent the progression to NASH in lean individuals, said Dr. DiStefano, adding that inclusion of lean individuals in NAFLD-related clinical trials is critical to reducing NAFLD in this patient group.
The review NAFLD in normal weight individuals was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
# # #
About TGen, an affiliate of City of HopeTranslational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life-changing results. TGen is affiliated with City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases: CityofHope.org. This precision medicine affiliation enables both institutes to complement each other in research and patient care, with City of Hope providing a significant clinical setting to advance scientific discoveries made by TGen. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, diabetes and infectious diseases through cutting-edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research toward patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and complex rare diseases in adults and children.Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit: tgen.org. Follow TGen onFacebook,LinkedInandTwitter @TGen.
Media Contact:Steve YozwiakTGen Senior Science Writer602-343-8704syozwiak@tgen.org
Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome
Literature review
People
NAFLD in normal weight individuals
24-Mar-2022
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
See original here:
TGen-Temple review suggests even normal weight individuals are susceptible to severe fatty liver disease - EurekAlert
- Living with Lupus: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Therapy for Lupus [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Unlocking the Secrets of Blod Cell Therapy - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Alzheimers Neurons Created from Pluripotent Stem Cells [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2012]
- Verastem to Present at Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference Symposium “Targeting Cancer Stem Cells in Oncology” [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Plethora of New Products to be Showcased at 2012 Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2012]
- Leukaemia cells have a remembrance of things past [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2012]
- Science Translational Medicine and the DMM Global Foundation Announce Days of Molecular Medicine 2012 "The ... [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2012]
- Common RNA pathway found in ALS and dementia [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- Culprits behind ALS and dementia share common pathway [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- 22 Molecular Medicine—Cloning and Stem Cells - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Stem Cells and the Future of Medicine - Larry Goldstein, Ph.D. at TEDxAmericasFinestCity - Video [Last Updated On: November 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Program in Molecular Medicine - UMass Medical School ... [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2016]
- Molecular medicine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2016]
- Department of Molecular Medicine - College of Veterinary ... [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2016]
- Molecular Medicine - Graduate School of Biomedical ... [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2016]
- Home - Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- Molecular Medicine - Wake Forest Baptist Health [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- International Masters Program Molecular Medicine ... [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- LSUHSC School of Medicine - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2016]
- Molecular Medicine | Molecular Medicine Reports ... [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2016]
- Precision medicine opens the door to scientific wellness preventive approaches to suicide - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2017]
- New Hampshire biologist reacts to gene-editing discovery - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2017]
- The Human Heart May Have a Natural 'Backup Battery' - Healthline [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2017]
- Georgia colleges gear up for new semester - AJC.com - Atlanta Journal Constitution [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2017]
- Change in protein production essential to muscle function - Baylor College of Medicine News (press release) [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2017]
- Clinical trial uses a genetically engineered virus to fight cancer - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2017]
- A New Gene Editing Technique Could Finally Allow Us to Treat ALS - Futurism [Last Updated On: August 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 15th, 2017]
- New Version of CRISPR Corrects RNA Defects Linked to ... - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- Circular RNA Linked to Brain Function - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- Yenepoya University to offer biotech skill enhancement programme - Hindu Business Line [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- Spotlight Innovation Enters into Sponsored Research Agreement with Indiana University to Develop New Therapies for ... - PR Newswire (press release) [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- Using barcodes to trace cell development - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2017]
- What can genetic testing really tell you? - Popular Science [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2017]
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Foundation Medicine Join Forces to Advance Precision Cancer Treatment - Markets Insider [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2017]
- A New Method of 3D Printing Living Tissues - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2017]
- Spotlight Innovation Enters into Sponsored Research Agreement with Indiana University to Develop New Therapies for ... - Markets Insider [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2017]
- MS in Molecular Medicine - Drexel University College of ... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2017]
- Master of Science (MSc) in Molecular Medicine - NTNU [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2017]
- Molecular Medicine Research - Wake Forest School of Medicine [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2017]
- New method for the 3D printing of living tissues - Scientist Live [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2017]
- Bio-inspired Materials Give Boost to Regenerative Medicine - Bioscience Technology [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2017]
- MSU Expanding Medical Research In Grand Rapids | WKAR - WKAR [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2017]
- Stabilizing TREM2 a potential strategy to combat Alzheimer's disease - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2017]
- TCI woman fell 31 floors, due to work in molecular medicine in Malaysia - Magnetic Media (press release) [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2017]
- Molecular Medicine | University of Maryland School of Medicine [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2017]
- Reconstructing life at its beginning, cell by cell - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2017]
- Dr. Pawel Muranski to Head New Cellular Immunotherapy Laboratory at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University ... - Newswise (press release) [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2017]
- Hofstra and Northwell rename medical school following $61 million donation - The Island Now [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2017]
- TREM2 Cleavage Site Pinpointed: A Gateway to New Therapies? - Alzforum [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2017]
- The Secret Ingredient That Stops Honeybees From Becoming Queens - New York Times [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2017]
- What happened to precision medicine? - Phoenix Business Journal [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2017]
- Fetal genes can increase the risk of illness during pregnancy - Medical Xpress [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2017]
- Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2017]
- For Authors - Molecular Medicine [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2017]
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2017]
- Nuclear Medicine - Molecular Imaging - Nuclear Medicine ... [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2018] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2018]
- Proteomics Conferences 2018 | Molecular Medicine Congress ... [Last Updated On: August 21st, 2018] [Originally Added On: August 21st, 2018]
- Section of Molecular Medicine | Wake Forest School of Medicine [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2018]
- Faculty Research - Department of Molecular Medicine ... [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2019] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2019]
- Goethe-Universitt Molecular Medicine (Master of Science) [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2019]
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Miller School of ... [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2019]
- Molecular Medicine Research - Mayo Clinic Research [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2019]
- Molecular Medicine (MolMed) | Duke School of Medicine [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2019]
- Molecular Medicine | Molecular, Cellular and Developmental ... [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2019]
- Home | EMBO Molecular Medicine [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2019]
- Molecular Medicine (formerly Molecular & Cellular Biology) [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2019]
- The world's first psilocybin research center is opening in Jamaica - Big Think [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- Synthetic networks with tunable responsiveness, biodegradation, and molecular recognition for precision medicine applications - Science Advances [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- No place for racism: an open letter from University of Auckland staff - The Spinoff [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- XIST-Promoter Demethylation as Tissue Biomarker for Testicular Germ Cell Tumors and Spermatogenesis Quality - Beyond the Abstract - UroToday [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- Tulane researcher is editor of journal issue honoring 40th anniversary of key cancer discovery - News from Tulane [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- New insights into heart's healing capacity - Baylor College of Medicine News [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- Giving a Speed Boost to Nerve Regrowth - Technology Networks [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- Exploring the stress-mood-appetite connection - Baylor College of Medicine News [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- What's in the cards for this year's Nobel Prizes? - STAT [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- Treatment for Incurable Breast Cancer, Melanoma Improved by Adding Local Anesthetics - Newswise [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- DNA Nanomachines Are Opening Medicine to the World of Physics - Singularity Hub [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2019]
- Institute of Human Virology Hosts 21st Annual International Meeting of Top Scientists on Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in America and the Intersection... [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2019]
- Digital Biopsies: Radiomics and Pathomics Are Important Stops on the Path to Precision Medicine - Cancer Therapy Advisor [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2019]