| Theme | NASH : An Update | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Abnormal Iron Metabolisms in Patients with NASH | |
| Publish Date | 2007/10 | |
| Author | Kohichi Takada | Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine / Division of Diagnostic Ultrasound and Medical Electronics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine |
| Author | Junji Kato | Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine |
| Author | Yutaka Kawano | Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine |
| Author | Yoshiro Niitsu | Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | It has been suggested that the disease progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is involved in oxidative stress in the liver, which is complicated with hepatic iron overload. In the present study, it is demonstrated that abnormal iron metabolism is involved in iron overload in NASH patients. In NASH patients, it was found that hepatic iron overload was caused by increased intestinal iron absorption. The mechanism of increased iron absorption was due to increased duodenal expression of DMT-1, Dcytb and Hephaestin. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that iron depletion therapy is effective in reducing serum ALT levels and type IV collagen concentrations as well as histopathological grading of liver biopsies. | |