The role of ultrasonography in the measurement of subcutaneous and visceral fat and its correlation with hepatic steatosis

AbstractAlcohol-related liver disease (ALD), a condition caused by alcohol overconsumption, occurs in three stages of liver injury including steatosis, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. DEP domain-containing protein 5 (DEPDC5), a component of GAP activities towards Rags 1 (GATOR1) complex, is a repressor of amino acid-sensing branch of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. In the current study, we found that aberrant activation of mTORC1 was likely attributed to the reduction of DEPDC5 in the livers of ethanol-fed mice or ALD patients. To further define the in vivo role of DEPDC5 in ALD development, we generated Depdc5 hepatocyte-specific knockout mouse model (Depdc5-LKO) in which mTORC1 pathway was constitutively activated through loss of the inhibitory effect of GATOR1. Hepatic Depdc5 ablation leads to mild hepatomegaly and liver injury and protects against diet-induced liver steatosis. In contrast, ethanol-fed Depdc5-LKO mice developed severe hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Pharmacological intervention with Torin 1 suppressed mTORC1 activity and remarkably ameliorated ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in both control and Depdc5-LKO mice. The pathological effect of sustained mTORC1 activity in ALD may be attributed to the suppression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα), the master regulator of fatty acid oxidation in hepatocytes, because fenofibrate (PPARα agonist) treatment reverses ethanol-induced liver steatosis and inflammation in Depdc5-LKO mice. These findings provide novel insights into the in vivo role of hepatic DEPDC5 in the development of ALD.

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Hepatic steatosis in Cushing's syndrome: a radiological assessment using computed tomography

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje.0.1490543 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 149 (6) ◽

pp. 543-548 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

AG Rockall ◽

SA Sohaib ◽

D Evans ◽

G Kaltsas ◽

AM Isidori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Cushing’S Syndrome ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Cushing's Syndrome ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Visceral Fat Area

OBJECTIVE: Hepatic steatosis may occur in association with insulin resistance and obesity, two features commonly seen in Cushing's syndrome (CS). The aim of this report is to assess the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in patients with active CS using computed tomography (CT) and to identify any associations between hepatic steatosis, endocrine and biochemical variables and body fat distribution. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: We identified 50 patients with active CS in whom appropriate CT was available to allow measurement of liver and spleen attenuation. In 26 patients, abdominal fat measurements were also available. Serum markers of CS and liver function tests were recorded. RESULTS: Ten of 50 patients had a liver-to-spleen CT attenuation ratio (L/S) of less than 1, indicating hepatic steatosis. There was a significant negative correlation between both liver attenuation and L/S ratio with total abdominal fat area, visceral fat area, the percentage of visceral fat and the visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio; the strongest negative correlation was found between visceral fat area and L/S ratio (r=-0.638, P<0.001, n=26). L/S ratio positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase levels (r=+0.423, P=0.044, n=23) but with no other serum marker of CS activity or liver enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated hepatic steatosis on CT in 20% of patients with active CS. The presence of hepatic steatosis was significantly correlated with total abdominal fat area and visceral fat area.

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INSIGHTS INTO THE ROLE OF MORUS ALBA IN REVERSING OBESITY-ASSOCIATED HEPATIC STEATOSIS AND RELATED METABOLIC DISORDER IN RATS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9s2.13674 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 231

Author(s):

Hanaa H. Ahmed ◽

Fatehya M Metwally ◽

Hend Rashad ◽

Asmaa M Zaazaa

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Metabolic Disorder ◽

Ethanolic Extract ◽

Treated Group ◽

Morus Alba ◽

The Other ◽

Obese Group ◽

Control Group

ABSTRACT Objective: The goal of the present study was to examine the viability of Morus alba (M. alba) ethanolic extract in repression of obesity-associated hepatic steatosis and related metabolic disorder; dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and glycemic status. Methods: Adult female albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups, eight rats each as follows: Group (1) control group received standard rodent diet for 24 weeks. The other three groups administered high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks and served as obese group, M. alba-treated group, and simvastatin-treated group. Results: The current results showed an increment in thoracic circumference (TCX) and abdominal circumferences (AC) as well as body mass index (BMI) in obese group. In addition, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance have been elucidated in obese group. Moreover, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin values were significantly increased in obese groups versus control group. On the other hand, administration of ethanolic extract of Morus alba or simvastatin could significantly lessen BMI and in addition to improve dyslipidemia in obese group. Glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance value in serum samples demonstrated a significant reduction in obese group upon treatment with M. alba ethanolic extract or simvastatin. Furthermore, noticeable depletion in hepatic MDA, NO contents, serum ALT, AST activities, and serum bilirubin level was recorded as a result of treatment with either ethanolic extract of M. alba or simvastatin. Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed ballooning degeneration in the hepatocytes (hepatic steatosis) associated with inflammatory cells penetration in portal zone in obese group. Meanwhile, the treatment of obese groups with ethanolic extract of M. alba or simvastatin was found to restore the structural organization of the liver. Conclusion: The present findings provide a novel aspect for understanding of the role of M. alba against obesity-associated liver diseases and related metabolic disorder. The mechanisms underlying these effects seem to depend on the hypolipidemic potential, anti-inflammatory property, and antioxidant activity of its phytochemicals. Keywords: Obesity, Morus alba, Dyslipidemia, Hyperinsulinemia, Hyperglycemia, Hepatic steatosis.

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