Metabolic syndrome and risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

CONTEXT: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, has been considered the most common liver disease nowadays, which is also the most frequent cause of elevated transaminases and cryptogenic cirrhosis. The greatest input of fatty acids into the liver and consequent increased beta-oxidation contribute to the formation of free radicals, release of inflammatory cytokines and varying degrees of hepatocytic aggression, whose histological expression may vary from steatosis (HS) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The differentiation of these forms is required by the potential risk of progression to cirrhosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about the major risk factors for NAFLD in the context of metabolic syndrome, focusing on underlying mechanisms and prevention. METHOD: PubMed, MEDLINE and SciELO data basis analysis was performed to identify studies describing the link between risk factors for metabolic syndrome and NAFLD. A combination of descriptors was used, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolic syndrome and risk factors. At the end, 96 clinical and experimental studies, cohorts, meta-analysis and systematic reviews of great impact and scientific relevance to the topic, were selected. RESULTS: The final analysis of all these data, pointed out the central obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension as the best risk factors related to NAFLD. However, other factors were highlighted, such as gender differences, ethnicity, genetic factors and the role of innate immunity system. How these additional factors may be involved in the installation, progression and disease prognosis is discussed. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for NAFLD in the context of metabolic syndrome expands the prospects to 1) recognize patients with metabolic syndrome at high risk for NAFLD, 2) elucidate pathways common to other co-morbidities, 3) determine risk factors associated with a worse prognosis, 4) develop therapeutic strategies with goal of reducing risk factors, 5) apply acquired knowledge in public health policies focusing on preventive strategies.

Metabolic syndrome and risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / Síndrome metabólica e fatores de risco para a doença hepática gordurosa não-alcoólica

CONTEXT: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, has been considered the most common liver disease nowadays, which is also the most frequent cause of elevated transaminases and cryptogenic cirrhosis. The greatest input of fatty acids into the liver and consequent increased beta-oxidation contribute to the formation of free radicals, release of inflammatory cytokines and varying degrees of hepatocytic aggression, whose histological expression may vary from steatosis (HS) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The differentiation of these forms is required by the potential risk of progression to cirrhosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about the major risk factors for NAFLD in the context of metabolic syndrome, focusing on underlying mechanisms and prevention. METHOD: PubMed, MEDLINE and SciELO data basis analysis was performed to identify studies describing the link between risk factors for metabolic syndrome and NAFLD. A combination of descriptors was used, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolic syndrome and risk factors. At the end, 96 clinical and experimental studies, cohorts, meta-analysis and systematic reviews of great impact and scientific relevance to the topic, were selected. RESULTS: The final analysis of all these data, pointed out the central obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension as the best risk factors related to NAFLD. However, other factors were highlighted, such as gender differences, ethnicity, genetic factors and the role of innate immunity system. How these additional factors may be involved in the installation, progression and disease prognosis is discussed. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for NAFLD in the context of metabolic syndrome expands the prospects to 1) recognize patients with metabolic syndrome at high risk for NAFLD, 2) elucidate pathways common to other co-morbidities, 3) determine risk factors associated with a worse prognosis, 4) develop therapeutic strategies with goal of reducing risk factors, 5) apply acquired knowledge in public health policies focusing on preventive strategies.

CONTEXTO: A doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA) vem sendo considerada a manifestação hepática da síndrome metabólica e a hepatopatia mais frequente da atualidade, sendo também a causa mais frequente de aumento das transaminases e de cirrose criptogênica. O maior aporte de ácidos graxos ao fígado e consequente aumento da beta-oxidação concorrem para formação de radicais livres, liberação de citocinas inflamatórias e graus variáveis de agressão hepatocítica, cuja expressão histológica pode variar da esteatose hepática (EH) à esteatohepatite não-alcoólica (EHNA), cuja diferenciação se faz necessária pelo risco potencial de progressão para cirrose e desenvolvimento do carcinoma hepatocelular. OBJETIVO: Revisar a literatura sobre os principais fatores de risco para a DHGNA no contexto da síndrome metabólica, com foco nos mecanismos subjacentes e nas estratégias de prevenção. MÉTODO: Foi realizada pesquisa bibliográfica no PubMed para identificar estudos que descrevessem a associação entre os fatores de risco para síndrome metabólica e a DHGNA, utilizando-se a combinação de descritores: "Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolic syndrome and risk factors". Foram selecionados 96 estudos clínicos, experimentais, de cohort, metanálises e revisões sistemáticas de maior impacto e relevância científica para o tema. RESULTADOS: A análise das informações consolidou a obesidade central, diabetes melitus tipo 2, dislipidemia e hipertensão como os fatores de risco mais bem relacionados à DHGNA. Entretanto, outros fatores foram destacados, como diferenças entre gêneros, etnia, fatores genéticos e o papel da imunidade inata, como estes fatores adicionais que podem estar implicados na instalação, progressão e prognóstico da doença. CONCLUSÃO: O conhecimento dos fatores de risco para a DHGNA no contexto da síndrome metabólica amplia os caminhos para: 1) reconhecer pacientes com risco elevado para a doença; 2) elucidar vias comuns a outras comorbidades; 3) determinar fatores de risco relacionados a pior prognóstico; 4) desenvolver estratégias terapêuticas com o objetivo de reduzir fatores de risco; 4) aplicar os conhecimentos adquiridos nas políticas públicas de saúde com foco em estratégias preventivas.

[Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase alteration in hepatic schistosomiasis doesn't correlate with parasitic load and precedes ultrasound alterations]. / Elevação da gamma-glutamiltransferase sérica na hepatopatia esquistossomótica não se correlaciona com a carga parasitária e precede alterações ultra-sonográficas.

BACKGROUND: Liver disorders are the major manifestations of schistosomiasis mansoni. Factors that account for increased concentrations of cholestasis-indicating enzymes in the hepatosplenic form of the disease are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between increased gamma-glutamyltransferase serum levels and both the parasitic load and ultrasound alterations in patients with schistosomiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with the chronic form of schistosomiasis were assessed for the presence or absence of increased enzymatic levels, for the parasitic load (low x medium/high) and for ultrasound parameters. Furthermore, analysis of prothrombin time and a platelet count were performed. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients, 13 showed increased gamma-glutamyltransferase plasma levels. No significant correlation was found between increased gamma-glutamyltransferase levels and the parasitic load, or between increased enzyme levels and ultrasound alterations. Nor did the prothrombin index or the platelet count differ between the two groups (normal gamma-glutamyltransferase levels and increased gamma-glutamyltransferase levels). CONCLUSION: The parasitic load explains no rise in gamma-glutamyltransferase plasma levels in patients with the chronic form of schistosomiasis, and conventional ultrasound is not a sensitive method to detect the alteration suggested by the increased enzyme level in those patients.

Elevação da gamma-glytamiltransferase sérica na hepatopatia esquistossomótica com a carga parasitária e precede alterações ultra-sonográficas / Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase alteration in hepatic schistosomiasis doesn't correlate with parasitic load and precedes ultrasound alterations

Liver disorders are the major manifestations of schistosomiasis mansoni. Factors that account for increased concentrations of cholestasis-indicating enzymes in the hepatosplenic form of the disease are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between increased gamma-glutamyltransferase serum levels and both the parasitic load and ultrasound alterations in patients with schistosomiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with the chronic form of schistosomiasis were assessed for the presence or absence of increased enzymatic levels, for the parasitic load (low x medium/high) and for ultrasound parameters. Furthermore, analysis of prothrombin time and a platelet count were performed. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients, 13 showed increased gamma-glutamyltransferase plasma levels. No significant correlation was found between increased gamma-glutamyltransferase levels and the parasitic load, or between increased enzyme levels and ultrasound alterations. Nor did the prothrombin index or the platelet count differ between the two groups (normal gamma-glutamyltransferase levels and increased gamma-glutamyltransferase levels). CONCLUSION: The parasitic load explains no rise in gamma-glutamyltransferase plasma levels in patients with the chronic form of schistosomiasis, and conventional ultrasound is not a sensitive method to detect the alteration suggested by the increased enzyme level in those patients

Avaliaçäo sorológica pós-terapêutica da sífilis / Evaluation of the Technical laboratorial profile of VDRL

Este estudo tem como princípio básico a avaliaçäo do perfil técnico-laboratorial do VDRL-VENERAL DESEASE RESEARCH LABORATORY como teste provencial do segmento pós-terapêutico da sífilis apesar de näo ser um teste treponêmico específico, é economicamente viável e fornece dados quantitativos e qualitativos importantes para a avliaçäo terapêutica. Dos 3.200 casos leventados 40 foram destacados como casuística no período de fevereiro a agosto de 1994 e estudados de acordo com a idade, sexo e titulagem. Os resultados concordam com os padöes mundialmente aceitos, e os dados säo ilustrados em tabelas e gráficos