the stages of fatty liver disease: A healthy liver (1) can progress to fat accumulation (2), then to NASH, which has inflammation (3), cell swelling (4), and scars sometimes (5).
V. ALTOUNIAN / SCIENCE
The obesity epidemic has affected the liver. About 20% to 30% of Americans have excess fat in the liver, and the problem is widespread around the world. The accumulation of fat is often mild, but it can progress to a condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH, which has an inflammation and swelling of the cells. NASH often leads to fibrosis or scarring that can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and death. Why do some people with excess fat in the liver develop NASH remains unclear, but researchers and doctors are optimistic because more than 20 potential treatments NASH are under development or in testing. Two large clinical trials of possible drug NASH should start this year. In a previous clinical trial, one of the treatments, obeticholic acid, reduces the amount of fibrosis, a first for a liver drug.
To read the full article, see July 3rd number of science .
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