非酒精性脂肪性肝病的发病机制及治疗进展

近年来,随着人们生活水平的提高,脂肪性肝病的发病率明显上升,且患病年龄趋于低龄化,已经成为严重危害我国人民健康的常见疾病,我国非酒精性脂肪性肝病的发病率明显高于酒精性脂肪性肝病。本文主要对NAFLD的发病机制及相关治疗进展做简要的综述。NAFLD的发病机制与胰岛素抵抗、氧化应激、代谢综合征、脂肪细胞因子的作用、内质网应激、及铁超载等多种因素有关。NAFLD的治疗可以从防治原发病或相关危险因素、基础治疗(行为或生活方式干预;调整饮食;运动疗法)、药物治疗以及手术治疗等方面进行。了解国际上NAFLD的发病机制以及相关治疗进展,对遏制非酒精性脂肪性肝病的发生、发展趋势有着十分重要的意义。     

非酒精性脂肪性肝病的研究进展

非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)在西方国家较为常见,近年来在我国的发病呈上升趋势,且发展逐渐低龄化。非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者可能因持续性肝损伤而导致纤维化进展,可与慢性病毒性肝炎和酒精性肝病一样发展到终末期肝硬化,并出现肝硬化严重并发症,也有可能发展成肝癌,最终需要肝移植治疗。它严重危害人类的健康,影响人类的生活及生存质量。多因素的发病机制使其愈来愈被人们所重视,研究和了解非酒精性脂肪性肝病的流行病学、发病机制、诊断及治疗方法,对人类非常重要,如果在疾病的早期,也就是单纯性脂肪肝阶段就对疾病进行干预,这样可以取得很好的治疗效果,NAFLD是人类在本世纪需要面对的疾病之一,因此研究它的发病机制及治疗方法是非常必要的。     

非酒精性脂肪性肝病蛋白质组学研究进展

非酒精性脂肪性肝病(nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD)是一种常见慢性肝脏疾病,其发病率呈逐年上升趋势,但发病机制尚未明确,诊疗手段仍不完善.蛋白质组学(proteomics)的出现使NAFLD研究有了进一步的发展,相关研究已达21个.目前,蛋白质组学技术可以研究疾病相关的分子改变,从而寻找新的生物标志物和治疗靶标.在此,对蛋白质组学在NAFLD诊断及分期、发病机制和其他相关领域研究进展作一个较为全面的综述.首先,对研究中遇到的研究对象、样本种类、实验方法和标志物特征选择进行经验性总结.其次,除了介绍如何运用蛋白质组学研究病因、危险因素和重要分子在NAFLD发病机制中的作用,还介绍NAFLD发病机制的亚细胞蛋白质组学、修饰蛋白质组学以及蛋白质组学与转录组学相结合的研究实例.此外,对差异蛋白质的分析策略和价值作了重点阐述,收集到一些有望成为NAFLD治疗靶标的候选分子.最后,结合新技术展望研究新空间,以期能够有助于推动蛋白质组学在寻找新的疾病标志物、探索疾病分子机制和治疗靶标中开辟新的途径.     

非酒精性脂肪性肝病诊断方法研究进展

非酒精性脂肪性肝病(non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD)是一类进行性的慢性肝脏疾病,包括简单的脂肪蓄积、非酒精性脂肪性肝炎、进展性的肝纤维化、肝硬化和肝细胞肝癌。NAFLD具有致病机制复杂、疾病进行性、高发病率、伴随并发症风险以及无特效药物治疗等特征,这凸显出对NAFLD的发病机制认知、筛查、诊断与监测的重要性。因此,该文旨在介绍NAFLD的概况,着重从肝穿刺组织活检、影像学检查和血液标志物三个方面归纳与总结诊断方法的研究进展,为NAFLD的基础研究、临床诊断及其新的生物标志物研究提供相关的参考。     

非酒精性脂肪肝的发病机制及药物治疗

非酒精性脂肪肝是多种病因导致的慢性疾病,发病率有上升趋势。脂肪肝发生发展与肝内脂肪合成排出动态平衡、激素、胰岛素抵抗等有关,目前还缺少有效治疗药物。综述非酒精性脂肪肝的发病机制、中西药物治疗进展,以期为该领域研究提供借鉴,脂肪肝治疗药物开发提供依据。     

非酒精性脂肪肝的发病机制及药物治疗

非酒精性脂肪肝是多种病因导致的慢性疾病,发病率有上升趋势。脂肪肝发生发展与肝内脂肪合成排出动态平衡、激素、胰岛素抵抗等有关,目前还缺少有效治疗药物。综述非酒精性脂肪肝的发病机制、中西药物治疗进展,以期为该领域研究提供借鉴,脂肪肝治疗药物开发提供依据。     

恩格列净对2型糖尿病合并非酒精性脂肪性肝病的影响

摘要 目的：探讨恩格列净单独及联合胰岛素治疗对2型糖尿病合并非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）患者的影响。方法：本研究选择2021.3-2022.8于石家庄市第二医院门诊就诊的2型糖尿病合并NAFLD的300例患者作为研究对象,分为胰岛素治疗组（100例）、恩格列净单药治疗组（100例）及恩格列净联合胰岛素治疗组（100例）,治疗48周,采集患者治疗前后体重、体质指数（BMI）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷酰转肽酶（GGT）、血常规、HbA1c、肝脏脂肪含量等指标,计算患者NFS、FIB-4指标,比较不同治疗方案治疗前后患者临床特征的变化。观察三组临床治疗期间不良反应的发生情况。结果：应用胰岛素治疗的患者HbA1c及空腹血糖显著下降;BMI、ALT、AST、GGT、肝脏脂肪含量、NFS、FIB-4无变化。恩格列净单药治疗的患者,ALT、AST、GGT、NFS、FIB-4、肝脏脂肪含量均显著下降（P<0.05）;恩格列净联合胰岛素治疗的患者ALT、AST、GGT、NFS、FIB-4、肝脏脂肪含量显著下降（P<0.05）。多元线性回归提示应用恩格列净和肝脏脂肪含量的变化相关（P<0.05）,BMI、HbA1c的变化和肝脏脂肪含量的变化无关（P<0.05）。三组患者治疗期间总不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：恩格列净单药治疗或联合胰岛素治疗均可降低2型糖尿病合并NAFLD患者肝脏脂肪含量均、转氨酶水平,改善肝纤维化。     

达格列净对2型糖尿病合并非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者血清FGF-21水平的影响

摘要 目的：分析血清成纤维细胞生长因子-21（FGF-21）与2型糖尿病（T2DM）合并非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）患者常见指标及NAFLD纤维化评分（NFS）的相关性,进一步探讨达格列净对T2DM合并NAFLD患者血清FGF-21水平的影响。方法：选取2022年1月至2022年6月徐州医科大学附属徐州市立医院收治的80例T2DM合并NAFLD患者为研究对象（T2DM合并NAFLD组）,选择同期80例T2DM不合并NAFLD患者为T2DM组。收集腰围（WC）、身高、体重数据,计算体重指数（BMI）。测定空腹血糖（FPG）、糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）、空腹胰岛素（FINS）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-c）,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-c）、肌酐（Cr）、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST ）、白蛋白（Alb）、血小板计数（PLT）等指标,计算胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA-IR）、NFS。采用酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）法测定FGF-21水平。比较T2DM组和T2DM合并NAFLD组各项指标的差异,探讨血清FGF-21水平与T2DM合并NAFLD患者其他指标的相关性,Logistic回归分析T2DM合并NAFLD的影响因素,受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析各影响因素对T2DM合并NAFLD的诊断价值。将80例T2DM合并NAFLD患者按随机数字表法随机分为二甲双胍组和达格列净组各40例,治疗前后观测各项指标变化,并密切监测不良反应。结果：T2DM合并NAFLD组患者WC、BMI、FINS、HbA1c、TG、AST、ALT、HOMA-IR、NFS及FGF-21均高于 T2DM组（P＜0.05）。相关性分析显示,FGF-21水平与T2DM合并NAFLD组患者WC、BMI、HbA1c、TG、HOMA-IR、NFS均存在正相关（P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示,BMI、HbA1c、FGF-21、HOMA-IR为影响T2DM患者合并NAFLD的危险因素。ROC曲线分析显示,BMI、HbA1c、FGF-21、HOMA-IR对T2DM合并NAFLD均具有一定预测价值,其中以FGF-21的预测效能最佳。治疗后,达格列净组TG、AST、ALT、NFS、FGF-21水平较二甲双胍组降低更为明显（P＜0.05）。结论：血清FGF-21水平为T2DM合并NAFLD的危险因素,参与了T2DM合并NAFLD发病及进展,且对T2DM合并NAFLD有较好的预测效能。相较于二甲双胍,达格列净可明显降低T2DM合并NAFLD患者血清FGF-21水平并改善NFS,具有一定程度的肝脏保护作用。     

非酒精性脂肪性肝合并2型糖尿病患者血清chemerin水平变化及其相关性分析

目的:探讨非酒精性脂肪性肝(NAFLD)合并2型糖尿病患者血清chemerin水平变化及其相关性,为其临床诊治提供参考。方法:选择河北医科大学附属秦皇岛市第一医院收治的NAFLD和2型糖尿病患者作为研究对象,其中NAFLD合并2型糖尿病患者100例(A组),单纯NAFLD患者100例(B组),单纯2型糖尿病患者100例(C组),并选取同期来该院检查的100例健康人作为对照组。比较各组患者的血清chemerin、空腹血糖、胰岛素水平、肝功能、炎症因子、应激反应指标以及胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)差异,分析血清chemerin水平与各项指标的相关性。结果:按照A组、B组、C组以及对照组的顺序,患者血清chemerin、谷氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、丙二醛(MDA)、空腹血糖、胰岛素及HOMA-IR水平逐渐降低,而血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH)水平逐渐升高,组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。经Pearson相关性分析,血清chemerin水平与血清ALT、AST、MDA、CRP、TNF-α、空腹血糖、胰岛素水平及HOMA-IR水平呈现正相关,与SOD、GSH水平呈现负相关(P0.05)。结论:血清chemerin水平可通过对胰岛素抵抗、应激反应以及炎症反应等机制进行调节,参与NAFLD合并2型糖尿病的发生以及发展,并具有较好的相关性,可为NAFLD合并2型糖尿病患者的临床治疗提供新的突破点。     

Nrf2调控的铁死亡途径在非酒精性脂肪性肝病防治中的作用机制

非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）是发病率很高的慢性肝病类型,与肥胖、糖尿病、高脂血症等代谢综合征密切相关,是当前重要的公共健康问题之一。其具体的发病机制尚不清楚。目前有研究认为铁死亡参与了NAFLD的发生与发展,铁死亡是一种新型程序性细胞死亡。核因子E2相关因子2 (Nrf2)是调控铁死亡过程中的重要核因子,对铁死亡过程中抗氧化、铁代谢以及脂质过氧化途径起到调控作用,并且已被报道可能通过抑制铁死亡改善NAFLD。本文通过对铁死亡与NAFLD的关系研究进行梳理,探究Nrf2调控铁死亡改善NAFLD的可能机制。最后,对存在的问题进行分析并提出未来研究展望。     

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is a Risk Factor for the Development of Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is prevalent in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is also associated with T2DM. However, little is known about the interaction between these conditions in patients with T2DM.

Objective

To examine the association between NAFLD and DN in patients with T2DM.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients seen between January 2006 and July 2014.T2DM patients were divided into two groups based on NAFLD status (with NAFLD = group A; without = group B). The cumulative incidence of DN and chronic kidney disease (CKD) staging were compared between the two groups. Liver fat content was examined in some patients. Associations among NAFLD, other factors,and DN were analyzed by the additive interaction method.

Results

Cumulative incidence of DN in patients from group A (58.58%) was higher than in group B (37.22%) (P = 0.005). In both groups, the number of DN patients with CKD stage 1 was greater than the number of patients with stages 2–5. Increased liver fat content was associated with increased occurrence of severe and mild albuminuria and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). There were positive correlations between NAFLD and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), free fatty acids (FFA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), omentin-1, visceral fat area, homocysteine (HCY), and serum uric acid (UA).

Conclusion

NAFLD might be a risk factor for DN. Elevated liver fat content could be associated with higher DN burden.     

Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objectives

A randomized, parallel controlled, open-label clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a botanic compound berberine (BBR) on NAFLD.

Methods

A randomized, parallel controlled, open-label clinical trial was conducted in three medical centers (NIH Registration number: NCT00633282). A total of 184 eligible patients with NAFLD were enrolled and randomly received (i) lifestyle intervention (LSI), (ii) LSI plus pioglitazone (PGZ) 15mg qd, and (iii) LSI plus BBR 0.5g tid, respectively, for 16 weeks. Hepatic fat content (HFC), serum glucose and lipid profiles, liver enzymes and serum and urine BBR concentrations were assessed before and after treatment. We also analyzed hepatic BBR content and expression of genes related to glucose and lipid metabolism in an animal model of NAFLD treated with BBR.

Results

As compared with LSI, BBR treatment plus LSI resulted in a significant reduction of HFC (52.7% vs 36.4%, p = 0.008), paralleled with better improvement in body weight, HOMA-IR, and serum lipid profiles (all p<0.05). BBR was more effective than PGZ 15mg qd in reducing body weight and improving lipid profile. BBR-related adverse events were mild and mainly occurred in digestive system. Serum and urine BBR concentrations were 6.99ng/ml and 79.2ng/ml, respectively, in the BBR-treated subjects. Animal experiments showed that BBR located favorably in the liver and altered hepatic metabolism-related gene expression.

Conclusion

BBR ameliorates NAFLD and related metabolic disorders. The therapeutic effect of BBR on NAFLD may involve a direct regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00633282     

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated with an Increased Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background

The relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in type 2 diabetes is currently unknown. We examined the relationship between NAFLD and risk of incident AF in people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods and Results

We prospectively followed for 10 years a random sample of 400 patients with type 2 diabetes, who were free from AF at baseline. A standard 12-lead electrocardiogram was undertaken annually and a diagnosis of incident AF was confirmed in affected participants by a single cardiologist. At baseline, NAFLD was defined by ultrasonographic detection of hepatic steatosis in the absence of other liver diseases. During the 10 years of follow-up, there were 42 (10.5%) incident AF cases. NAFLD was associated with an increased risk of incident AF (odds ratio [OR] 4.49, 95% CI 1.6–12.9, p<0.005). Adjustments for age, sex, hypertension and electrocardiographic features (left ventricular hypertrophy and PR interval) did not attenuate the association between NAFLD and incident AF (adjusted-OR 6.38, 95% CI 1.7–24.2, p = 0.005). Further adjustment for variables that were included in the 10-year Framingham Heart Study-derived AF risk score did not appreciably weaken this association. Other independent predictors of AF were older age, longer PR interval and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD is strongly associated with an increased incidence of AF in patients with type 2 diabetes even after adjustment for important clinical risk factors for AF.     

Glucose-Induced Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Secretion Is Deficient in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background & Aims

The incretins glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are gastrointestinal peptide hormones regulating postprandial insulin release from pancreatic β-cells. GLP-1 agonism is a treatment strategy in Type 2 diabetes and is evaluated in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the role of incretins in its pathophysiology is insufficiently understood. Studies in mice suggest improvement of hepatic steatosis by GLP-1 agonism. We determined the secretion of incretins after oral glucose administration in non-diabetic NAFLD patients.

Methods

N = 52 patients (n = 16 NAFLD and n = 36 Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients) and n = 50 matched healthy controls were included. Standardized oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Glucose, insulin, glucagon, GLP-1 and GIP plasma levels were measured sequentially for 120 minutes after glucose administration.

Results

Glucose induced GLP-1 secretion was significantly decreased in patients compared to controls (p<0.001). In contrast, GIP secretion was unchanged. There was no difference in GLP-1 and GIP secretion between NAFLD and NASH subgroups. All patients were insulin resistant, however HOMA2-IR was highest in the NASH subgroup. Fasting and glucose-induced insulin secretion was higher in NAFLD and NASH compared to controls, while the glucose lowering effect was diminished. Concomitantly, fasting glucagon secretion was significantly elevated in NAFLD and NASH.

Conclusions

Glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion is deficient in patients with NAFLD and NASH. GIP secretion is contrarily preserved. Insulin resistance, with hyperinsulinemia and hyperglucagonemia, is present in all patients, and is more severe in NASH compared to NAFLD. These pathophysiologic findings endorse the current evaluation of GLP-1 agonism for the treatment of NAFLD.     

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated with Liver Damage and Atherosclerosis in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background/Aims

We assessed whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and nocturnal hypoxemia are associated with severity of liver fibrosis and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and low prevalence of morbid obesity. Secondary aim was to explore the association of OSA and hypoxemia with NASH and severity of liver pathological changes.

Methods

Consecutive patients (n = 126) with chronically elevated ALT and NAFLD underwent STOP-BANG questionnaire to estimate OSA risk and ultrasonographic carotid assessment. In patients accepting to perform cardiorespiratory polygraphy (PG, n = 50), OSA was defined as an apnea/hypopnea index ≥5. A carotid atherosclerotic plaque was defined as a focal thickening >1.3 mm.

Results

Prevalence of high OSA risk was similar in patients refusing or accepting PG (76% vs 68%, p = 0.17). Among those accepting PG, overall OSA prevalence was significantly higher in patients with F2-F4 fibrosis compared to those without (72% vs 44%; p = 0.04). Significant fibrosis was independently associated with mean nocturnal oxygen saturation (SaO₂)<95% (OR 3.21, 95%C.I. 1.02–7.34; p = 0.04). Prevalence of OSA tended to be higher in patients with, than in those without, carotid plaques (64% vs 40%; p = 0.08). Carotid plaques were independently associated with %time at SaO2<90% >1 (OR 6.30, 95%C.I. 1.02–12.3; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

In NAFLD patients with chronically elevated ALT at low prevalence of morbid obesity, OSA was highly prevalent and indexes of SaO₂ resulted independently associated with severity of liver fibrosis and carotid atherosclerosis. These data suggest to consider sleep disordered breathing as a potential additional therapeutic target in severe NAFLD patients.     

微生态制剂改善非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者胰岛素抵抗的临床研究

目的:观察美常安对非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)患者临床症状及胰岛素抵抗(IR)的作用。方法:选取2009年4月至2013年3月我院收治的88例NAFLD患者,随机分为治疗组和对照组。对照组给予基础治疗,治疗组在对照组的基础上,加用美常安胶囊进行治疗。比较两组疗效及治疗前后两组血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、甘油三酯(TG)及稳态胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)水平,并分析血浆D乳酸、TNF-α、内毒素与HOMA-IR的相关性,观察两组不良反应情况。结果:治疗组治疗有效率为52.3%,明显高于对照组的29.5%(P0.05)。治疗后治疗组ALT、TG、HOMA-IR下降幅度,均明显优于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后治疗组患者血浆D乳酸、TNF-α、内毒素水平明显低于对照组(P0.05),且治疗组患者HOMA-IR与患者血浆D乳酸、血清TNF-α、内毒素水平呈正相关(r=0.352,0.44,0.48;均P0.05)。不良反应发生率低,且两组不良反应发生率无显著差异(P0.05)。结论:美常安治疗NAFLD疗效显著,可降低ALT、TG水平,降低肠道通透性,改善肠源性内毒素血症,改善IR,且安全性较高。