scholarly journals Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Staging of NAFLD

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11905
Author(s):  
Stefania Di Mauro ◽  
Alessandra Scamporrino ◽  
Agnese Filippello ◽  
Antonino Di Pino ◽  
Roberto Scicali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Benign Condition ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Risk Of Progression ◽  
Novel Biomarkers ◽  
Fibrosis Staging

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common hepatic pathology in industrialized countries, affecting about 25% of the general population. NAFLD is a benign condition, however, it could evolve toward more serious diseases, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and finally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver biopsy is still the gold standard for NAFLD diagnosis. Due to the risks associated with liver biopsy and the impossibility to apply it on a large scale, it is now necessary to identify non-invasive biomarkers, which may reliably identify patients at higher risk of progression. Therefore, several lines of research have tried to address this issue by identifying novel biomarkers using omics approaches, including lipidomics, metabolomics and RNA molecules’ profiling. Thus, in this review, we firstly report the conventional biomarkers used in clinical practice for NAFL and NASH diagnosis as well as fibrosis staging, and secondly, we pay attention to novel biomarkers discovered through omics approaches with a particular focus on RNA biomarkers (microRNAs, long-noncoding RNAs), showing promising diagnostic performance for NAFL/NASH diagnosis and fibrosis staging.

scholarly journals Novel Approaches for BAV Aortopathy Prediction—Is There a Need for Cohort Studies and Biomarkers?

Biomolecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evaldas Girdauskas ◽  
Johannes Petersen ◽  
Niklas Neumann ◽  
Shiho Naito ◽  
Tatiana Gross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Improve Risk Stratification ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Novel Biomarkers ◽  
Novel Approaches ◽  
Biomarker Research

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is the most common congenital malformation of the human heart with a prevalence of 1–2% in the general population. More than half of patients with a BAV present with a dilated proximal aorta (so-called bicuspid aortopathy) which is associated with an enhanced risk of life-threatening aortic complications. Up to now, the pathogenesis of bicuspid aortopathy as well as the risk stratification of aortic complications has not yet been sufficiently clarified. Recent findings have shown that bicuspid aortopathy features phenotypic heterogeneity. Two distinct valvulo-aortic phenotypes, the so-called root phenotype, as well as a dilation of the tubular ascending aorta, coincide with a significantly different risk for aortal complications. However, the phenotype-based classification that is only based on these two clinical forms is not sufficient to estimate the risk of aortal complications in a prognostically relevant way. Therefore, there is growing clinical interest to assess novel approaches in BAV research and to introduce circulating biomarkers as an elegant diagnostic tool to improve risk stratification in BAV aortopathy. A large scale epidemiological cohort study, ranking from apparently healthy individuals to disease patients, and comprehensive biobanks provide the opportunity to study BAV disease and its complications and to identify novel biomarkers for BAV aortopathy surveillance and prognosis. Firstly, the data indicate that several protein-based biomarkers and non-coding RNA molecules, in particular circulating microRNAs, can serve as relevant molecular biomarkers to predict the course of BAV-associated aortopathy. Here, we review the current literature and knowledge about BAV from a clinical point of view, and report about novel approaches in BAV biomarker research.

scholarly journals Non-invasive imaging techniques in assessing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a current status of available methods

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Lăpădat ◽  
◽  
IR Jianu ◽  
BS Ungureanu ◽  
LM Florescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an ailment affecting and increasing a number of people worldwide diagnosed via non-invasive imaging techniques, at a time when a minimum harm caused by medical procedures is rightfully emphasized, more sought after, than ever before. Liver steatosis should not be taken lightly even if its evolution is largely benign as it has the potential to develop into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or even more concerning, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Traditionally, liver biopsy has been the standard for diagnosing this particular liver disease, but nowadays, a consistent number of imagistic methods are available for diagnosing hepatosteatosis and choosing the one appropriate to the clinical context is the key. Although different in sensitivity and specificity when it comes to determining the hepatic fat fraction (FF), these imaging techniques possessing a diverse availability, operating difficulty, cost, and reproducibility are invaluable to any modern physician. Ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), elastography, and spectroscopy will be discussed in order to lay out the advantages and disadvantages of their diagnostic potential and application.Although imagistics has given physicians a valuable insight into the means of managing NAFLD, the current methods are far from perfect, but given the time, they will surely be improved and the use of liver biopsy will be completely removed.

Evaluation of MicroRNA-122 as A Non-invasive Diagnostic Biomarker For Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and NASH related Cirrhosis

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nevine Ibrahim Musa ◽  
Sara Hassan Agwa ◽  
Heba Ahmed Faheem ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Gharib Alam El-din
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Nafld Fibrosis Score ◽  
Normal Controls

Abstract Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD is considered to represent the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. NAFLD was traditionally considered as a relatively benign liver disease. However, some patients with NAFLD progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma 8-13. Therefore, the precise diagnosis and staging of NAFLD patients is clinically important. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for the evaluation of NAFLD patients in terms of staging. However, liver biopsy is an invasive technique, and the identification of noninvasive biomarkers is required. Objective To assess the value of MicroRNA-122 as a non-invasive biomarker for diagnosis of NAFLD and NASH related Cirrhosis. Patients and Methods In the present study, we assess the value of MicroRNA-122 as a noninvasive biomarker for diagnosis of NAFLD and NASH related Cirrhosis. Gastroenterology and Hepatology outpatient clinic at: Ain Shams University Hospitals, Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital, Kafr Elsheikh University Hospitals. Clinical Pathology department at Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University. Results Patients with NASH had higher NAFLD score than patients with NAFLD than normal control. Patients with NASH had significantly higher frequency of upregulated miRNA-22. Patients with NASH had higher miRNA 122 expression than normal controls and patients with NAFLD. Likewise, patients with NAFLD had higher miRNA 122 expression than normal controls. The miRNA 122 was a significant discriminator of NAFLD and NASH with a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 82% for NAFLD and a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 86% for the NASH. Conclusion miRNA-122 is a sensitive and specific biomarker in the early detection of NAFLD and NASH as they are linked to the lipid metabolism reducing the need for liver biopsy. NAFLD fibrosis score had high sensitivity in differentiating the NAFLD groups from the control group and in differentiating the steatosis group from the NASH group. Serum levels of miRNA-122 were positively correlated with BMI, ALT and AST.

scholarly journals A review of the clinical utility of the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test in multiple aetiologies of chronic liver disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-43
Author(s):  
Preya Janubhai Patel ◽  
Declan Connoley ◽  
Freya Rhodes ◽  
Ankur Srivastava ◽  
William Rosenberg
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Biliary Cirrhosis ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Non Invasive

The rising incidence of chronic liver disease continues to be an increasing health burden. The morbidity and mortality associated with chronic liver disease typically occur in patients with advanced fibrosis. Hence, early identification of those at-risk is of vital importance to ensure appropriate ongoing management. Currently, tools for appropriate risk stratification remain limited. Increasing awareness of the limitations of liver biopsy has driven research into alternative non-invasive methods of fibrosis assessment including serological markers assessing functional changes. One such biomarker, the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test, was initially validated in a cohort of 1021 patients with mixed aetiology chronic liver disease and shown to perform well. Since this pathfinder study, it has been independently validated in cohorts of hepatitis C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. In addition to performing well as a diagnostic tool, the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test has been shown to outperform liver biopsy in prognostic studies and is the only non-invasive marker to do so. However, questions remain regarding the use of this test, particularly regarding the possible effect age and alcohol may have on test scores. This review examines the current literature published in relation to the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test and its clinical utility and highlights areas requiring further study.

scholarly journals Elastography—A Bona Fide Non-Invasive Method for Assessing Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3240
Author(s):  
Cristina Oana Mărginean ◽  
Lorena Elena Meliț ◽  
Maria Oana Săsăran
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Stiffness ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Systemic Complications ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Non Invasive

Pediatric obesity has become a major public health problem worldwide, resulting in a wide spectrum of systemic complications. Liver disease associated with obesity, also known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is currently the most common chronic liver condition in children. Therefore, its timely and proper diagnosis is essential for preventing further development of cirrhosis. Multiple studies focused on identifying the most accurate non-invasive diagnostic method for liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Although liver biopsy remains the gold-standard in terms of this hepatopathy, elastography methods emerged as a relatively reliable alternative to liver biopsy. Thus, recent studies revealed the great importance of these non-invasive methods not only in diagnosing pediatric NAFLD, but also in its staging. MRE is commonly considered to have a greater accuracy than ultrasound-based elastography methods, but with lower availability and higher costs. Ultrasound-based elastography methods (transient elastography (TE), p-SWE, and 2-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE)) were proved to have similar accuracy in NAFLD staging. Nevertheless, multiple confounding factors account for potential challenges when using elastography for liver stiffness measurement, such as age, obesity itself (i.e., BMI), transaminase levels, or portal flow. A potential solution for facing these challenges might be represented by a complex approach based on the combination between elastography, clinical and laboratory findings. Although the studies that assessed the role of elastography in pediatric NAFLD staging are scarce, the current knowledge underlines a crucial role of these techniques taking into account their ability to distinguish between fibrosis degrees, their non-invasive patterns, lower costs and side effects when compared to liver biopsy. Therefore, elastography might become a cornerstone in staging pediatric NAFLD.

scholarly journals The diagnostic conundrum in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerio Rosato ◽  
Mario Masarone ◽  
Andrea Aglitti ◽  
Marcello Persico
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Advanced Fibrosis ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Simple Steatosis ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver alteration worldwide. It encompasses a spectrum of disorders that range from simple steatosis to a progressive form, defined non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), that can lead to advanced fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. On liver histology, NASH is characterized by the concomitant presence of significant fat accumulation and inflammatory reaction with hepatocellular injury. Until now, liver biopsy is still required to differentiate simple steatosis from NASH and evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis. Unfortunately, this technique has well-known limitations, including invasiveness and expensiveness. Moreover, it may be biased by sampling error and intra- or inter-observed variability. Furthermore, due to the increasing prevalence of NAFLD worldwide, to program a systematic screening with liver biopsy is not imaginable. In recent years, different techniques were developed and validated with the aim of non-invasively identifying NASH and assess liver fibrosis degrees. The non-invasive tests range from simple blood-tests analyses to composite scores and complex imaging techniques. Nevertheless, even if they could represent cost-effective strategies for diagnosing NASH, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, their accuracy and consequent usefulness are to be discussed. With this aim, in this review the authors summarize the current state of non-invasive assessment of NAFLD. In particular, in addition to the well-established tests, the authors describe the future perspectives in this field, reporting the latest tests based on OMICS, gut-miocrobioma and micro-RNAs. Finally, the authors provide an accurate assessment of how these non-invasive tools perform in clinical practice depending on the clinical context, with the aim of giving the clinicians a useful tool to try to resolve the diagnostic conundrum of NAFLD.

scholarly journals ANI scoring system – In differentiating alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 104-107
Author(s):  
Anitha G ◽  
Sivakumar J ◽  
Kalavathy Ponniraivan
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Alcoholic Liver Disease ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Invasive Method

Background: Alcoholic liver disease/non-alcoholic liver disease Index – ANI scoring system was constructed for clinically diagnosing the etiology of liver diseases, avoiding the risks of liver biopsy. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to test the reliability of ANI scoring system as a non-invasive method to distinguish alcoholic liver disease (ALD) from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 177 (114 men and 58 women) treated as inpatients in Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Trichy, in the period of December 1, 2015–August 1, 2016. About 40 patients with etiology of viral, autoimmune, and biliary lithiasis were excluded. A total of 137 patients (98 men and 39 women) were classified into two groups, ALD (70) and NAFLD (67) based on diagnosis. Parameters of ANI – AST, ALT, MCV, BMI, and sex were recorded. ANI was calculated by online calculator. Results: ANI was significantly higher in patients with ALD than NAFLD (P<0.01). The cutoff value of ANI is –0.11. Conclusion: On the basis of the results, ANI scoring system may be used in clinically distinguishing ALD from NAFLD, avoiding the risks of liver biopsy.

scholarly journals Risks and Predictors of Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease Progression Using Association Rules Mining

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (06) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Tasneem A. Gameel ◽  
Sherine Rady ◽  
Sanaa Kamal
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Pattern Mining ◽  
Serum Markers ◽  
Frequent Pattern ◽  
Mining System ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Liver Disease Progression

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Disease (NASH), a progression of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), occurs in case of the increase of fat accumulation in the liver. The disease can next progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. The most accurate way to diagnose NAFLD progression into NASH is through a liver biopsy. This is painful, expensive and difficult to repeat several times to monitor the fibrosis progression. Thus, finding a non-invasive solution through markers can reliably help tracking the disease progression. The objective of this study is to assess the diagnostic and prognostic performance of serum markers to monitor liver disease progression in comparison to findings by liver biopsy. An association rule mining system is proposed using a Frequent Pattern mining algorithm to reach this objective. An Egyptian cohort consisting of 2300 NAFLD and NASH patients is included in an experimental study, where the results showed that the blood tests and serum markers, PIIINP and ELF, can predict the progression of NAFLD into NASH, and can discriminate between the different stages of NASH with confidence value 0.9. The presented results indicate an advantageous promising non-invasive solution in medicine for predicting of the disease and its progression, while avoiding alternative biopsy exposition

scholarly journals Non-invasive assessment of fatty liver

2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (14) ◽  
pp. 543-551
Author(s):  
Anna Egresi ◽  
Gabriella Lengyel ◽  
Krisztina Hagymási
Keyword(s):  
Liver Biopsy ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Liver Steatosis ◽  
Radiological Imaging ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Autoimmune Processes ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

As the result of various harmful effects (infectious agents, metabolic diseases, unhealthy diet, obesity, toxic agents, autoimmune processes) hepatic damage may develop, which can progress towards liver steatosis, and fibrosis as well. The most common etiological factors of liver damages are hepatitis B and C infection, alcohol consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver biopsy is considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of chronic liver diseases. Due to the dangers and complications of liver biopsy, studies are focused on non-invasive markers and radiological imaging for liver steatosis, progression of fatty liver, activity of the necroinflammation and the severity of the fibrosis. Authors review the possibilities of non-invasive assessment of liver steatosis. The statistical features of the probes (positive, negative predictive values, sensitivity, specificity) are reviewed. The role of radiological imaging is also discussed. Although the non-invasive methods discussed in this article are useful to assess liver steatosis, further studies are needed to validate to follow progression of the diseases and to control therapeutic response. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(14), 543–551.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document