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In 2020， an international expert panel proposed to replace nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）. Recent studies have shown that there is a higher risk of chronic kidney disease （CKD） in the MAFLD population and that MAFLD is an independent risk factor for CKD. However， up to now， there are still no guidelines on the prevention and treatment of MAFLD-related CKD. Based on the Delphi method， the authors led a multidisciplinary team of 50 authoritative experts from 26 countries to reach a consensus on some open-ended research issues about the association between MAFLD and CKD， which can help to clarify the important clinical association between MAFLD and the risk of CKD and improve the understanding of the epidemiology， pathogenesis， management， and treatment of MAFLD and CKD， so as to establish a framework for the early prevention and management of these two common and interrelated diseases.
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Based on the unique syndrome characteristics of metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） in Lingnan （岭南） area， this paper discussed the clinical experience of Huangqi （Radix Astragali） in the treatment of MAFLD in Lingnan area. It is summarized that spleen deficiency and yang weakness， and internal accumulation of damp-turbidity are the source of the disease， and at the early stage， Huangqi， commonly 15~30 g， could be used to fortify the spleen and warm the earth， thereby making the deficiency fire latent， as well as raise the clear and warm the exterior so as to inhibit damp-turbidity； medication needs to be progressively supplemented， and can be used together with Taizishen （Radix Pseudostellariae）， Baizhu （Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae）， Fuling （Poria）， and Fangfeng （Radix Saposhnikoviae） to back up the earth and inhibit dampness. Qi stagnation and blood constraint， yin dampness and heat accumulation are the pathogenesis of disease progression. Huangqi should be taken to invigorate the spleen and flourish the liver， unblock yang， and move stagnation. The dosage is often maintained at 30~60 g， to circulate the qi and unblock yang qi in the middle jiao （焦）， usually combined with Chaihu （Radix Bupleuri）， Baishao （Radix Paeoniae Alba） and Yujin （Radix Curcumae） integrating warm and cool medicinals. Stubborn turbid and fat condensing in the liver is a severe stage of the disease and may be concurrent with various pathogens such as dampness， phlegm， and heat， for which 60~90 g Huangqi should be used to invigorate blood and disperse fat， reinforce healthy qi and expel pathogens， often with medicinals that can disperse fat and direct the turbid downward such as Shanzha （Fructus Crataegi）， Juemingzi （Semen Cassiae）， Lulutong （Fructus Liquidambaris） and Zexie （Rhizoma Alismatis）. When prescribing， it is suggested to combine with other medicinals according to the season， thereby adjusting the ascending and descending of the property of Huangqi， thereby conforming to the nature of the four seasons.
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There are gradual increases in the incidence rates of metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） and type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）， with close relationship and mutual interaction between the two diseases， but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Studies have shown that T2DM and MAFLD may cause aggravation of each other through insulin resistance， inflammation， some hepatocyte factors， and cellular senescence and protect each other through some hepatocyte factors. Further research on the association between T2DM and MAFLD and the mechanism of comorbidity is of great significance for the clinical prevention and treatment of the two diseases.
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Objective:To explore the relationship between serum retinol binding protein(RBP)and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and possible underlying metabolic mechanisms.Methods:A total of 3384 elderly T2DM patients hospitalized and with complete clinical records at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University between January 2003 and December 2012 were recruited in this retrospective study.Patients were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of serum RBP levels: the first quartile of serum RBP levels(<35 mg/L, 844 cases), the second quartile of serum RBP levels(35 mg/L≤ RBP ≤41 mg/L, 773 cases), the third quartile of serum RBP levels(42 mg/L≤ RBP ≤51 mg/L, 902 cases), and the fourth quartile of serum RBP levels(RBP>51 mg/L, 865 cases). Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected.Differences in the prevalence of MAFLD were compared between the four groups.The association between RBP and MAFLD was analyzed via binary logistic regression.Results:After adjusting for age and sex, the proportion of obesity( χ2=15.222, P<0.01), the percentage using lipid-lowering drugs( χ2=88.552, P<0.01), systolic blood pressure( F=12.002, P<0.01), diastolic blood pressure( F=6.872, P<0.01), waist circumference( F=9.563, P<0.01), waist-hip ratio( F=7.972, P<0.01), body mass index( F=9.057, P<0.01), serum creatinine( χ2=185.445, P<0.01), serum uric acid( χ2=314.691, P<0.01), 24-hour urinary albumin( χ2=91.012, P<0.01), alanine aminotransferase( χ2=17.049, P=0.003), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase( χ2=50.514, P<0.01), total cholesterol( F=45.669, P<0.01), triglycerides( χ2=361.269, P<0.01), low-density lipoprotein( F=8.772, P<0.01), fasting C-peptide( χ2=165.756, P<0.01), 2h postprandial C-peptide( χ2=120.690, P<0.01), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA2-IR)( χ2=148.884, P<0.01)in elderly patients with T2DM all showed a clear upward trend.The prevalence of MAFLD also gradually increased across the quartiles of serum RBP levels[26.5%(224/844), 30.1%(233/773), 36.6%(330/902), and 41.8%(362/865)], respectively( χ2=52.526, P<0.01). Elderly T2DM patients with MAFLD had a significantly higher value of HOMA2-IR than those without MAFLD[2.0(1.31-2.8) vs.1.39(0.86-2.06), F=220.826, P<0.01]. After correcting for other confounding factors, binary logistic regression showed that serum RBP was strongly associated with the presence of MAFLD in elderly patients with T2DM( β=0.209, 95% CI: 1.079-1.408, OR=1.232, χ2=9.441, P<0.01). Conclusions:Elevated serum RBP levels are an independent risk factor for the development of MAFLD in elderly T2DM patients, possibly through increased insulin resistance induced by RBP.
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Objective To investigate the change in mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) lymphocytes in peripheral blood of children with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its clinical significance. Methods A total of 18 children with MAFLD who attended Hunan Children's Hospital from March to May, 2022, were enrolled as MAFLD group, and 20 normal children who attended the hospital during the same period of time were enrolled as control group. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and flow cytometry was used to measure the percentages of MAIT lymphocytes (CD3 + CDl61 + TCRVα7.2 + cells), different MAIT lymphocyte subsets (CD4 + CD8 - MAIT cells, CD4 - CD8 - MAIT lymphocytes, CD4 - CD8 + MAIT lymphocytes, and CD4 + CD8 + MAIT lymphocytes), and MAIT lymphocytes expressing PD-1, CD69, perforin, CD107α, CXCR3, CXCR6, and CCR6. The correlation of MAIT lymphocyte frequency with liver inflammation, fat content, and fibrosis degree was analyzed. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. The Spearman correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the MAFLD group had significant increases in the percentage of MAIT lymphocytes in peripheral blood, the percentages of MAIT cells expressing PD-1, CD69, CD107α, CXCR3, CXCR6 and CCR6, and the percentages of CD4 + CD8 - MAIT cells and CD4 + CD8 + MAIT lymphocytes among MAIT cell subsets (all P < 0.05), as well as a significant reduction in the percentage of CD4 - CD8 + MAIT cells among MAIT cell subsets ( P < 0.001). The percentages of CD4 + CD8 + MAIT lymphocytes and CD107α-positive MAIT lymphocytes were negatively correlated with alanine aminotransferase ( r =-0.474 and -0.550, P =0.047 and 0.018). Conclusion The migration of peripheral blood MAIT lymphocytes to the liver plays a protective role against liver inflammation in children with MAFLD.
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OBJECTIVES@#Insulin signaling pathway plays an important role in metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), however, the association between polymorphisms of genes related to insulin signaling pathway and MAFLD remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between insulin signaling pathway-related gene polymorphisms and gene-gene interactions with MAFLD susceptibility in obese children so as to provide scientific basis for further study of genetic mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 502 obese children with MAFLD who admitted to Hunan Provincial Children's Hospital from September 2019 to October 2021, were recruited as a case group, and 421 obese children with non-MAFLD admitted during the same period were recruited as a control group. Socio-demographic information, preterm birth history, eating habits, and exercise status of the subjects were collected by inquiry survey, and anthropometric information was collected by physical measurement. At the same time, 2 mL of venous blood was collected to extract DNA, and the polymorphism of insulin signaling pathway-related genes (5 representative candidate genes, 12 variants) was detected. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between insulin signaling pathway-related gene polymorphisms and MAFLD in obese children.@*RESULTS@#After adjusting for confounder factors, INS rs3842748 was significantly associated with the risk of MAFLD in obese children in allele, heterozygous, and dominant models [OR and 95% CI 1.749 (1.053 to 2.905), 1.909 (1.115 to 3.267), 1.862 (1.098 to 3.157), all P<0.05]; INS rs3842752 was significantly associated with the risk of MAFLD in obese children in heterozygous and dominant models [OR and 95% CI 1.736 (1.028 to 2.932), 1.700 (1.015 to 2.846), all P<0.05]. NR1H3 rs3758674 was significantly correlated with the risk of MAFLD in obese children in allele model [OR and 95% CI 0.716 (0.514 to 0.997), P<0.05]. SREBP-1c rs2297508 was significantly associated with the risk of MAFLD in obese children in allele and dominant models [OR and 95% CI 0.772 (0.602 to 0.991) and 0.743 (0.557 to 0.991), all P<0.05]. SREBP-1c rs8066560 was significantly associated with the risk of MAFLD in obese children in allele, heterozygous, and dominant models [OR and 95% CI 0.759 (0.589 to 0.980), 0.733 (0.541 to 0.992), 0.727 (0.543 to 0.974), all P<0.05]. NR1H3 rs3758674 mutant C and SREBP-1c rs2297508 mutant G had interaction in the development of MAFLD in obese children [OR and 95% CI 0.407 (0.173 to 0.954), P<0.05].@*CONCLUSIONS@#The INS, NR1H3, and SREBP-1c gene polymorphisms in the insulin signaling pathway are associated with the susceptibility of MAFLD in obese children, but the functions and mechanisms of these genes need to be further studied.
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Child , Infant, Newborn , Humans , Female , Pediatric Obesity/genetics , Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 , Premature Birth , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , Signal Transduction/genetics , InsulinsABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of berberine on programmed necrosis of hepatocytes induced by metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in mice and its related molecular mechanism. Methods: Twenty male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=5 in each group): control group (S), fatty liver group (H), berberine group(B), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 inhibitor group (Nrf2), and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) group (A). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations were detected at the end of week 12 to calculate fatty liver index (liver mass/body mass ratio). Liver tissue was stained with HE, Masson and Oil Red O, and SAF score was used to evaluate the degree of liver injury. The expression levels of hepatic programmed necrosis-related proteins, namely receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), phosphorylated mixed series protease-like domain (p-MLKL) and Nrf2 were detected by Western blot method. One-way ANOVA was used for intragroup comparisons and LSD-t tests were used for intergroup comparisons. Results: Compared with S group, H group serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-1β levels and fatty liver index were significantly increased. The liver tissue was filled with vacuolar-like changes and inflammatory cell infiltration. Numerous red lipid droplets were observed with oil red O staining. Collagen fiber hyperplasia was evident with Masson staining. SAF scores (6.60 ± 0.55 and 0.80 ± 0.45) were significantly increased. The expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were up-regulated. Nrf2 level was relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with H group, berberine intervention group liver biochemical indexes, lipid levels, pro-inflammatory mediator expression, fatty liver index, and SAF score were significantly reduced, and the expression of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were down-regulated, while Nrf2 levels were further increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with B group, treatment with Nrf2 inhibitor had antagonized the protective effect of berberine on fatty liver. Serum ALT, AST, LDH, TG, TC and TNF-α, IL-1β levels, fatty liver index, and SAF scores were significantly increased and the expressions of RIPK3 and p-MLKL were relatively increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Berberine can significantly improve the metabolic-associated fatty liver disease injury in mice, and its mechanism is related to activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of programmed necrosis of hepatocytes.
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Animals , Male , Mice , Berberine/therapeutic use , Fatty Liver , Mice, Inbred C57BL , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism , NecrosisABSTRACT
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is considered as a multifactorial disease including genetic, physiological, and environmental factors, in which different factors overlap in various pathways, leading to metabolic impairment and liver damage. The main risk factors for MAFLD are overweight/obesity, insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and related dietary behaviors, mainly the intake of fructose beverages. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is an important predictor of changes in liver fat content in patients with MAFLD. There is increasing evidence that prescribing specific supplements or nutraceuticals that have been proven to have hepatoprotective effects for MAFLD patients can accelerate the improvement of liver enzymes and liver steatosis or might prevent or delay the progression of MAFLD disease.
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Objective To investigate the population differences of the newly named "metabolic associated fatty liver disease" (MAFLD) and the former name "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease" (NAFLD). Methods From November 2020 to January 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 624 elderly individuals aged above 65 years in a community in Beijing, China, and related data were collected, including demographic data, past history, laboratory markers, liver ultrasound, and liver elasticity. According to the presence or absence of fatty liver based on ultrasonic diagnosis, the individuals were divided into fatty liver group with 389 individuals and non-fatty liver group with 235 individuals. The independent samples t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between the two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between the two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between the two groups. Results Among the 389 patients with fatty liver, 387(99.5%) were diagnosed with MAFLD and 368(94.6%) were diagnosed with NAFLD, and there were 19 patients with a history of heavy alcohol consumption and 2 with positive surface antigen. A total of 366 patients met the diagnostic criteria for both MAFLD and NAFLD, accounting for 94.6% of the MAFLD patients and 99.5% of the NAFLD patients. Compared with the non-fatty liver group, the MAFLD group had significant increases in body mass index (BMI) ( t =-11.228, P < 0.05), waist circumference ( Z =-8.532, P < 0.05), hip circumference ( Z =-6.449, P < 0.05), waist-hip ratio ( Z =-5.708, P < 0.05), alanine aminotransferase ( Z =-5.027, P < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase ( Z =-2.880, P < 0.05), platelet count ( t =-3.623, P < 0.05), triglyceride ( Z =-8.489, P < 0.05), fasting blood glucose ( Z =-3.516, P < 0.05), HbA1c ( Z =-2.884, P < 0.05), Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) ( Z =-0.394, P < 0.05), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( Z =-4.912, P < 0.05), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) ( t =13.744, P < 0.05), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ( Z =-7.69, P < 0.05), as well as a significant reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ( t =6.348, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, MAFLD patients had more metabolic associated diseases, such as overweight, obesity, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension ( χ 2 =9.978, 65.472, 36.571, 9.797, and 5.128, all P < 0.05). In the MAFLD group, 30.7% of the patients had non-obese fatty liver disease (BMI < 25 kg/m 2 ), and 11.1% had lean fatty liver disease (BMI < 23 kg/m 2 ); compared with the obese MAFLD patients, the non-obese MAFLD patients had significantly lower age ( Z =-3.042, P < 0.05), BMI ( Z =-15.705, P < 0.05), waist circumference ( Z =-9.589, P < 0.05), hip circumference ( Z =-10.275, P < 0.05), HOMA-IR ( Z =-2.081, P < 0.05), CAP ( t =-3.468, P < 0.05), LSM ( Z =-3.630, P < 0.05), and NAFLD fibrosis score ( t =-4.433, P < 0.05). According to LSM value, advanced liver fibrosis accounted for 3.6% of the MAFLD population, and 10% of the MAFLD population could not be excluded for advanced liver fibrosis. Conclusion The diagnosis of MAFLD can basically cover the NAFLD population in the elderly people, and it is supposed that MAFLD can almost directly replace the concept of NAFLD in similar populations. However, further studies are needed to investigate its application in other populations.
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Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum ferritin (SF) and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).Methods:A total of 7 980 adults from physical examination in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital who met selection criterion were recruited as participants. Subjects were divided into 4 groups ( Q1- Q4) according to quartiles of SF level by gender. The incidence of MAFLD in each group in 2018-2020 were observed and cumulative incidence of MAFLD was compared between each group. Cox regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different SF levels and new-onset MAFLD, and stratified analysis was performed according to factors as gender, age, smoking status and body mass index (BMI). Results:The mean follow up period was 3.2 years, and there were 25 323 person-years of follow-up, and 1 696 subjects developed MAFLD. The incidence density of MAFLD in Q1- Q4 groups were 53.30, 56.39, 72.80 and 85.78/1 000 person-years, respectively. The incidence density of MAFLD increased along with the increase of SF levels, and the differences were statistically significant ( P values between Q3, Q4 and Q1 groups were both<0.001) with SF ≥ 162.47 μg/L (male) and 49.94 μg/L (female). The risk of MAFLD were 1.173 (95% CI: 1.093-1.258) and 1.174 (95% CI: 1.122-1.228) times higher in Q3 and Q4 group than that in Q1 group ( P<0.001). After adjusting for age, smoking status and other confounding factors, the risks of MAFLD in the Q3 and Q4 groups were 1.092 (95% CI: 1.017-1.172) and 1.084 (95% CI: 1.035-1.136) times higher in Q3 and Q4 group than that in Q1 group (all P<0.001). The stratified analyses based on gender, age, smoking status, BMI and other factors indicated that high SF levels showed significant association with MAFLD risk in those with the male sex, younger age, non-smokers and higher BMI population. Conclusions:High SF levels might increase the risk of MAFLD and this positive association might be associated with gender, age, smoking status and BMI.
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Objective To investigate the association between metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and sleep disorders. Methods A total of 222 patients with MALFD who were admitted to Panjin Central Hospital from February 2020 to February 2021 and 270 healthy individuals were enrolled as subjects. According to age, the patients with MALFD were divided into youth group with 93 patients, middle-aged group with 76 patients, and elderly group with 53 patients; according to controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of liver fat, the patients were divided into non-steatosis group with 23 patients, mild steatosis group with 85 patients, moderate steatosis group with 76 patients, and severe steatosis group with 38 patients; according to liver stiffness measurement (LSM), the patients were divided into non-progressive fibrosis group with 124 patients and progressive fibrosis group with 98 patients. Related data were collected, including general information such as age and sex and laboratory markers such as routine blood test results and biochemistry, and after informed consent was obtained, three sleep scales, i.e., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), were completed independently. The MAFLD group and the healthy control group were compared in terms of general information and laboratory markers to investigate the association between MAFLD and sleep disorders under different grouping criteria. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups; the t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between the groups of MAFLD patients with different ages and degrees of hepatic steatosis and pairwise comparison within each group. A logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent risk factors for MAFLD, and a Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of hepatic steatosis degree and fibrosis degree with sleep quality, somnolence, and circadian rhythm. Results There were significant differences in age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking between the MAFLD group and the healthy control group (all P < 0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the MAFLD group had significantly higher hemoglobin, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percentage, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, serum uric acid, low-density lipoprotein, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and body mass index and significantly lower albumin and high-density lipoprotein (all P < 0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the MAFLD group had significantly higher PSQI score ( t =35.529, P < 0.001) and ESS score ( t =24.647, P < 0.001) and significantly lower MEQ score ( t =-22.416, P < 0.001) and sleep time ( t =-8.660, P < 0.001). With the increase in age in the MAFLD group, hepatic steatosis degree, liver fibrosis degree, and PSQI score showed an increasing trend, and pairwise comparison of each scoring factor between groups showed statistical significance (all P < 0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, the MAFLD group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with definitely evening type, moderately evening type, or intermediate type and a significantly lower proportion of patients with moderately morning type or definitely morning type (all P < 0.05), and MEQ score tended to decrease with the increase in hepatic steatosis degree and liver fibrosis degree, with significant differences between two groups (all P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that overweight/obesity (odds ratio [ OR ]=3.166, P =0.027), diabetes ( OR =6.811, P =0.045), increase in white blood cell count ( OR =2.301, P < 0.001), increase in lymphocyte percentage ( OR =1.316, P =0.002), poor sleep quality ( OR =8.493, P < 0.001), a high degree of somnolence ( OR =5.420, P < 0.001), and circadian rhythm disturbance ( OR =3.805, P < 0.001) were risk factors for MAFLD. The Spearman correlation analysis showed that in the MAFLD group, hepatic steatosis degree was positively correlated with PSQI score ( r =0.444, P < 0.001) and ESS score ( r =0.339, P < 0.001) and was negatively correlated with MEQ score ( r =-0.195, P =0.004), and liver fibrosis degree was positively correlated with PSQI score ( r =0.518, P < 0.001) and ESS score ( r =0.373, P < 0.001) and was negatively correlated with MEQ score ( r =-0.250, P =0.004). Conclusion Compared with healthy individuals, the patients with MAFLD often have sleep disorders, and the severity of sleep disorders increases with age, hepatic steatosis degree, and liver fibrosis degree. Obesity, diabetes, and sleep disorders are risk factors for the onset of MAFLD.
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Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is currently one of the most important liver diseases worldwide, and its incidence rate is increasing year by year. This article summarizes the current research status of medical treatment of MAFLD, including lifestyle changes and individualized drug treatment. Lifestyle changes include diet management, exercise intervention, biological clock adjustment, and psychological intervention, and individualized drug treatment includes insulin sensitizer, vitamin E, weight-loss and lipid-lowering drugs, liver-protecting and transaminase-lowering drugs, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment. At the same time, multidisciplinary treatment is the trend of clinical treatment of MAFLD.
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Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a hotspot in the field of fatty liver disease at present and it has become the most common chronic liver disease around the world. It is predicted that the incidence rates of MAFLD and related liver cirrhosis will continue to grow in the next 20 years and that they will become new global health issues. Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is defined as a clinical syndrome of acute or subacute liver function decompensation within a short period of time in the presence of existing chronic liver diseases, with the main clinical manifestations of ascites, jaundice, coagulation disorder, and hepatic encephalopathy. Based on the existing data, this article discusses the epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment and management strategies, and future prospects of MAFLD-ACLF.
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Poor dietary habit is an important cause of the global prevalence of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and the adjustment of dietary pattern is the cornerstone of MAFLD management. In recent years, a large number of new dietary intervention methods have been proposed and applied in the treatment of MAFLD, including calorie restrict diet, low-carbohydrate diet, low-glycemic index diet, low free sugar diet, intermittent fasting pattern, high protein diet, and Mediterranean diet, and these new methods have different effects in clinical practice. This article introduces the treatment concepts and practical methods of these new dietary treatment strategies and the evidence of their benefits in the treatment of MAFLD in China and globally, so as to provide a new perspective for clinicians to guide patients to achieve individualized nutritional therapy.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and preliminary intervention regimens, and to provide a theoretical basis and new ideas for the effective prevention and treatment of MAFLD. MethodsA total of 158 MAFLD patients who underwent physical examination in Health Management Center of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from May to August 2019 or who were recruited through the WeChat official account of “Health Management Center of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital” were enrolled as subjects, and the patients were divided into control group with 52 patients, monthly follow-up group with 54 patients, and weekly follow-up group with 52 groups using a random number table. The patients in the control group were given health education alone on admission, and those in the monthly follow-up group and the weekly follow-up group were received the intervention of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise; in the monthly follow-up group and the weekly follow-up group, a sports bracelet was used to monitor the exercise and follow-up was performed through the WeChat platform at a frequency of once a month and once a week, respectively. The noninvasive liver fibrosis diagnosis system FibroTouch was used to evaluate the degree of fatty liver disease before and after intervention. The three groups were compared in terms of the changes in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hepatic fat attenuation index, liver stiffness, blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TG), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after 3 months of intervention. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the paired t-test was used for comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Nemenyi test or Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsA total of 147 patients completed the trial, with 49 patients in the control group (3 were lost to follow-up), 49 in the monthly follow-up group (5 were lost to follow-up), and 49 in the weekly follow-up group (3 were lost to follow-up). With the amount of exercise, which reached the target heart rate, 5 times a week for more than 30 minutes each time as the criteria, the rate of reaching the standard was 66.7% in the monthly follow-up group and 93.2% in the weekly follow-up group. There were no significant differences in each index between the three groups before intervention (all P＞0.05). The monthly follow-up group had a significant reduction in waist circumference after intervention (9339±9.24 cm vs 94.24±8.89 cm, t=2.590, P＜0.05). After intervention, the weekly follow-up group had significant reductions in BMI (26.46±3.36 kg/m2 vs 27.63±3.46 kg/m2, t=8.534, P＜0.001), waist circumference (87.04±8.84 cm vs 91.47±8.08 cm, t=6.854, P＜0.001), hepatic fat attenuation index (260.08±31.07 dB/m vs 287.88±23.28 dB/m, t=8.521, P＜0.001), diastolic blood pressure (76.78±11.23 mm Hg vs 79.27±12.36 mm Hg, t=2.106, P=0.040), ALT ［32(20-43) U/L vs 43(28-59) U/L, Z=-3.973, P＜0001］, GGT ［25(19-40) U/L vs 34(24-47) U/L, Z=-3.847, P＜0.001］, TG ［1.48 (1.20-2.02) mmol/L vs 2.04 (1.63-2.80) mmol/L, Z=-3.873, P＜0.001］, UA (381.53±71.89 μmol/L vs 414.37±81.27 μmol/L, t=3.953, P＜0.001), and FPG (5.05±0.58 mmol/L vs 5.21±0.71 mmol/L, t=2.185, P=0034). ConclusionModerate-intensity aerobic exercise can significantly reduce the serum levels of TG, ALT, and GGT and alleviate the degree of fatty liver disease in MAFLD patients, and weekly follow-up has a better management effect than monthly follow-up. The method of remote management based on sports bracelet and WeChat software is simple and easy, with a high level of acceptance among MAFLD patients.
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The terms nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were first used in the 1980s to describe a condition of similar liver histological changes to alcoholic liver disease, without excessive drinking nor other factors for liver injury. In-depth research on NAFLD has achieved rapid progress over the past 40 years; however, the unchanged nomenclature of the disease has become an obstacle for routine clinical practice and clinical trials. To overcome the shortcomings of the old term, the international consensus panel proposes to use the term metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to replace NAFLD and further puts forward the comprehensive and simple definition of MAFLD for clinical diagnosis, which makes MAFLD different from other liver diseases. Meanwhile, the panel suggests that MAFLD assessment and severity stratification should be extended beyond the simple dichotomous classification used at present. The new name MAFLD will become an important measure for optimizing clinical practice and improving clinical research and may bring benefits to physicians and patients.
ABSTRACT
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease involving metabolic disorder and is more common in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with similar adverse outcomes to these two comorbidities. For a long time, NAFLD has emphasized liver lesions and outcomes of liver diseases, and when treating T2DM according to the current clinical guidelines for diabetes, endocrinologists often neglect the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of liver lesions. Therefore, in clinical practice, NAFLD renamed as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease has important practical significance. Strategies for T2DM prevention and treatment aiming at reducing liver lipid content require multidisciplinary cooperation, and prevention and treatment of obesity, fatty liver disease, and diabetes with the same concepts can help to implement the prevention and treatment of the most common chronic diseases.