Clinical Gastroenterology Vol.18 No.9(1)

Theme Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Title NASH Profiles
Publish Date 2003/08
Author Masaru Ohsuga The First Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School
Author Yasumi Katsuta The First Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School
Author Takumi Aramaki The First Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School
[ Summary ] Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common disorder that shows alcoholic hepatitis-like liver histology without significant alcohol consumption. NASH shows symptoms not only of hepatic steatosis but also necro-inflammatory changes and fibrosis to various degrees. NASH can occasionally result in cirrhosis and may complicate case of hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenesis of NASH is not obvious but is closely associated with insulin resistance syndrome in the following cases; obesity, type2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Most of the patients with NASH are asymptomatic and have chronic slight hepatic dysfunction. Differential diagnosis of NASH from fatty liver condition through blood chemistry and image diagnoses is believed to be difficult. Liver histology is the only way to diagnose NASH at present.
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