AIM: To assess whether ischemic stroke severity and outcome is more adverse in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke between September 2010 ...AIM: To assess whether ischemic stroke severity and outcome is more adverse in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke between September 2010 and June 2013 were studied prospectively(n = 482; 40.2% males, age 78.8 ± 6.7 years). T2 DM was defined as self-reported T2 DM or antidiabetic treatment. Stroke severity was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) score at admission. The outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin scale(m RS) score at discharge and with in-hospital mortality. Adverse outcome was defined as m RS score at discharge ≥ 2 or in-hospital death. The length of hospitalization was also recorded.RESULTS: T2 DM was present in 32.2% of the study population. Patients with T2 DM had a larger waist circumference, higher serum triglyceride and glucose levels and lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as higher prevalence of hypertension, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure than patients without T2 DM. On the other hand, diabetic patients had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reported smaller consumption of alcohol than non-diabetic patients. At admission, the NIHSS score did not differ between patients with and without T2DM(8.7 ± 8.8 and 8.6 ± 9.2, respectively; P = NS). At discharge, the m RS score also did not differ between the two groups(2.7 ± 2.1 and 2.7 ± 2.2 in patients with and without T2 DM, respectively; P = NS). Rates of adverse outcome were also similar in patients with and without T2DM(62.3% and 58.5%, respectively; P = NS). However, when we adjusted for the differences between patients with T2 DM and those without T2 DM in cardiovascular risk factors, T2 DM was independently associated with adverse outcome [relative risk(RR) = 2.39; 95%CI: 1.21-4.72, P = 0.012]. Inhospital mortality rates did not differ between patients with T2 DM and those without T2DM(9.0% and 9.8%, respectively; P = NS). In multivariate analysis adjusting for the difference in cardiovascular risk factors between the two groups, T2 DM was again not associated with in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: T2 DM does not appear to affect ischemic stroke severity but is independently associated with a worse functional outcome at discharge.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest liver disease in Western countries.Treatment of NAFLD is currently based on lifestyle measures and no effective pharmacologic treatment is available so far.Emer...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest liver disease in Western countries.Treatment of NAFLD is currently based on lifestyle measures and no effective pharmacologic treatment is available so far.Emerging evidence,mainly from animal studies,suggests that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may be of major importance in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and indicates that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors(ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor blockers(ARBs) as a potentially useful therapeutic approach.However,data from human studies are limited and contradictory.In addition,there are few randomized controlled trials(RCTs) on the effects of ACE-I or ARB in patients with NAFLD and most data are from retrospective studies,pilot prospective studies and post hoc analyses of clinical trials.Accordingly,more and larger RCTs are needed to directly assess the effectiveness of ACE-I and ARBs in NAFLD.展开更多
The possible relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and colorectal cancer (CRC), concerning pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms is highlighted in this review. The most recent and complete articles and dev...The possible relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and colorectal cancer (CRC), concerning pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms is highlighted in this review. The most recent and complete articles and developments in this particular field were thoroughly reviewed. Common risk factors, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and Western diet between DM and CRC, led to the theory that DM might be a causal agent for CRC development. Various studies have connected type 2 DM and CRC, either proximal or distal, in both sexes. Additionally, chronic insulin treatment has been linked with increased colorectal tumor risk among type 2 diabetic patients. Interestingly, elevated hemoglobin A1c has been proven to be an independent predictor of aggressive clinical behavior in CRC patients. These mechanisms include the insulin-like growth factor-hyperinsulinemia theory and the participation of oncogenic intracellular signaling pathways. Furthermore, it has been proposed that Cox-2 inhibitors might have a role in decreasing the incidence of CRC. Finally, the use of statins to reduce the risk for colon cancer in patients with diabetes has remained controversial. Diabetic patients over 50 should receive counseling regarding their elevated risk for CRC, and screening colonoscopy should be recommended before initiating insulin therapy. However, there are no current guidelines, and this strategy is not yet applicable to some countries, as the corresponding risk would not allow screening colonoscopy to be adopted. There is strong evidence to indicate that DM is a causal agent for CRC development. This conclusion provides new impetus for re-evaluating CRC screening worldwide.展开更多
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevention of HCC is of paramount importance in patients with CHB, particularly in those with cirrhosis. Antiviral treatment can...Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevention of HCC is of paramount importance in patients with CHB, particularly in those with cirrhosis. Antiviral treatment can potentially reduce the risk for HCC since it suppresses viral replication, induces HBeAg seroconversion and improves liver histology. However, most evidence supporting a protective effect of antiviral treatment originates from non-randomized or retrospective studies and is limited to conventional interferon and lamivudine. There is a paucity of data on the effects of pegylated interferon and "newer" oral agents (telbivudine, tenofovir, entecavir) on HCC risk. However, it should be emphasized that the existing randomized control studies in patients with CHB were relatively short-term and not designed to assess the effects of antiviral treatment on HCC risk. Since viral load directly correlates with HCC risk, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the reduction in viral load with antiviral treatment will also lower the risk of HCC. This benefit might become more readily apparent with the newer agents used in the management of CHB which are more effective and have a more favorable resistance profile.展开更多
The development of effective nucleos(t)ide analogs(NAs)against hepatitis B virus(HBV)has improved the outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).This review updates issues related to the management of CHB patie...The development of effective nucleos(t)ide analogs(NAs)against hepatitis B virus(HBV)has improved the outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).This review updates issues related to the management of CHB patients included in special populations.Entecavir(ETV)and tenofovir(TDF)represent the currently recommended first-line NAs in patients with HBV decompensated cirrhosis.The combination of HBV immunoglobulin(usually for a finite duration)and NA is considered the standard of care for prophylaxis against HBV recurrence after liver transplantation.TDF is the best choice for hemodialysis patients and in patients with chronic kidney disease with nucleoside resistance.ETV and telbivudine are the preferred options in na?ve renal transplant recipients and with low viremia levels,respectively.All hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag)-positive candidates should be treated with NAs before renal transplantation to achieve undetectable HBV DNA at the time of transplantation.Conventional interferon or NAs can also be used in children,on the basis of well-established therapeutic indication.Pregnant women at high risk of perinatal transmission could be treated with lamivudine,telbivudine or TDF in the last trimester of pregnancy.HBs Ag-positive patients under immunosuppression should receive NA preemptively(regardless of HBV DNA levels)up to 12 mo after its cessation.In HBs Ag negative,anti-HBc positive patients under immunosuppression,further studies are needed to form a final conclusion;however,it seems that anti-HBV prophylaxis is justified in such patients with hematological diseases and/or for those receiving rituximab-containing regimens,regardless of their antiHBs or serum HBV DNA status.展开更多
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading cause of blindness, non-traumatic amputation and end-stage renal disease as well as a major cardiovascular risk factor. Tight glycemic control reduces the incidence of micr...Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading cause of blindness, non-traumatic amputation and end-stage renal disease as well as a major cardiovascular risk factor. Tight glycemic control reduces the incidence of microvascular complications of T2DM whereas its effects on macrovascular complication are more controversial. However, glycemic targets are achieved by a minority of diabetic patients despite the availability of several antidiabetic agents. In the present commentary, we discuss the findings of two recent randomized studies that compared bariatric surgery with medical treatment in patients with uncontrolled T2DM. Both studies showed that bariatric surgery results in remission of T2DM in the majority of patients. However, both studies were limited to relatively young patients without comorbidities, had relatively short follow-up and did not assess the effects of surgery on T2DM complications. Moreover, the perioperative complications of bariatric surgery and its limited availability in some areas are additional barriers to the wider implementation of this therapeutic approach. On the other hand, the elucidation of the mechanisms underpinning the resolution of T2DM following bariatric surgery might resultin the development of novel, more effective pharmacotherapies for this common disease.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and includes simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). Since NASH progresses to cirrhosis more frequently and increases liv...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and includes simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). Since NASH progresses to cirrhosis more frequently and increases liver-related and cardiovascular disease risk substantially more than simple steatosis, there is a great need to differentiate the two entities. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of NAFLD but its disadvantages, including the risk of complications and sampling bias, stress the need for developing alternative diagnostic methods. Accordingly, several non-invasive markers have been evaluated for the diagnosis of simple steatosis and NASH, including both serological indices and imaging methods. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of these markers in the diagnosis of NAFLD. Current data suggest that ultrasound and the fibrosis-4 score are probably the most appealing methods for detecting steatosis and for distinguishing NASH from simple steatosis, respectively, because of their low cost and relatively high accuracy. However, currently available methods, both serologic and imaging, cannot obviate the need for liver biopsy for diagnosing NASH due to their substantial false positive and false negative rates. Therefore, the current role of these methods is probably limited in patients who are unwilling or have contraindications for undergoing biopsy.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and its prevalence is increasing driven by the pandemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. NAFLD can progress to cirrhosis and is as...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and its prevalence is increasing driven by the pandemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. NAFLD can progress to cirrhosis and is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and hepatocellular cancer. Diet and exercise are limited by suboptimal long-term adherence in patients with NAFLD. On the other hand, current pharmacological treatment of NAFLD has limited efficacy and unfavorable safety profile. In this context, obeticholic acid(OCA), a selective agonist of the farnesoid X receptors, might represent a useful option in these patients. Preclinical studies suggest that OCA improves hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. A proof-of-concept study and the randomized, placebo-controlled Farnesoid X Receptor Ligand Obeticholic Acid in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis Treatment(FLINT) trial also showed improvements in liver histology in patients with NAFLD who received OCA. Weight loss and reduction in blood pressure were also observed. However, the effects of OCA on insulin resistance are conflicting and the lipid profile is adversely affected by this agent. In addition, pruritus is frequently observed during treatment with OCA and might lead to treatment discontinuation. However, given the limitations of existing treatments for NAFLD, OCA might represent a useful therapeutic option in selected patients with NAFLD.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease in high-income countries and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Macrophages appear to play an important role in the dev...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease in high-income countries and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Macrophages appear to play an important role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Accordingly, modulation of macrophage trafficking might represent an attractive therapeutic strategy in this population. Cenicriviroc is an oral inhibitor of the chemokine ligand 2/C-C chemokine receptor 2 pathway, which plays an important role in the hepatic recruitment of the macrophages. Preclinical studies and a phase 2b study in humans suggest that this agent might hold promise in the management of NAFLD.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and affects a considerab-le proportion of the general population. NAFLD is independently associated with increased risk for cardiovascular...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and affects a considerab-le proportion of the general population. NAFLD is independently associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events, particularly coronary heart disease. Importantly, even though NAFLD is more prevalent in patients with major cardiovascular risk factors(e.g., type 2 diab-etes mellitus, ob-esity and hypertension), the association b-etween NAFLD and cardiovascular disease appears to b-e independent of these risk factors. However, NAFLD also appears to increase the risk for ischemic stroke, a leading cause of mortality and long-term disab-ility worldwide. It also appears that nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is more strongly related to the risk of ischemic stroke than isolated hepatic steatosis. Moreover, emerging data suggest that patients with NAFLD experience more severe ischemic stroke and have more unfavorab-le prognosis after an acute ischemic stroke in terms of functional dependency and short-and long-term mortality. These associations have major pub-lic health implications, since ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and an important cause of long-term disab-ility. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the relationship b-etween NAFLD and ischemic stroke incidence, severity and outcome. Given these associations, it might b-e useful to evaluate patients with acute ischemic stroke for the presence of NAFLD and to manage those with NAFLD more aggressively.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries and is associated not only with increased risk for liver disease-related complications but also with higher cardi...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries and is associated not only with increased risk for liver disease-related complications but also with higher cardiovascular morbidity. Accordingly, lipid-lowering agents are frequently considered in these patients to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, there have been concerns regarding the safety of these agents in patients with chronic liver diseases. In the present review, we discuss the safety of lipid-lowering agents in patients with NAFLD as well as their effects on both cardiovascular and liver disease in this population. Accumulating data suggest that statins are safe in patients with NAFLD and that they reduce the increased cardiovascular morbidity of this population. However, it is still unclear whether statins are also useful as a treatment for NAFLD per se, since there are very limited and conflicting data on their effects on liver histology. There is also very scarce evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of other lipid-lowering agents in patients with NAFLD. Randomized controlled studies are needed to evaluate the role of lipid-lowering agents and particularly statins for the prevention of both cardiovascular and liver disease-related complications in this high-risk population.展开更多
Diabetic retinopathy affects a substantial proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus(DM) and is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged adults. Even though the incidence of diabetic retinopathy has declined...Diabetic retinopathy affects a substantial proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus(DM) and is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged adults. Even though the incidence of diabetic retinopathy has declined in the last decades, its prevalence increased and is expected to rise further as a result of the increasing incidence of type 2 DM(T2DM) and the longer life expectancy of patients with DM. The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy is multifactorial. Some observational studies suggested an association between dyslipidemia and the development and progression of retinopathy in patients with DM but others did not confirm this association. Regarding lipid-lowering agents, studies that evaluated the role of statins in the management of these patients are mostly small and yielded discrepant results. Large randomized studies with statins in patients with T2DM showed no benefit of these agents on diabetic retinopathy but were not designed to address this effect. In contrast, both preclinical data and two large randomized controlled studies, the FIELD and the ACCORD trial, showed that fenofibrate delays the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Even though the mechanisms underpinning this favorable effect are not entirely clear, these findings suggest that fenofibrate might represent a useful tool for the management of diabetic retinopathy.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD is considerably more frequent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in the general populat...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD is considerably more frequent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in the general population and is also more severe histologically in this group. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, the newest class of antidiabetic agents, appear to represent a promising option for the management of NAFLD in patients with T2DM. In a number of studies, treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors resulted in a reduction in hepatic steatosis and in transaminase levels. However, existing studies are small, their follow-up period was short and none evaluated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on liver histology. Accordingly, larger studies are needed to verify these preliminary results and define the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of NAFLD in patients with T2DM.展开更多
Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Given the detrimental effects of acute stroke, several neuroprotective agents have been evaluated in these patients. However, the ben...Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Given the detrimental effects of acute stroke, several neuroprotective agents have been evaluated in these patients. However, the benefits of the evaluated agents appear to be limited and none is currently recommended for clinical use. On the other hand, prior treatment with agents that are used for the primary and secondary prevention of stroke, including statins and antiplatelets, has been associated with better outcome in patients who experience an acute stroke. In contrast, there are limited data as to whether prior treatment with antidiabetic agents is beneficial in diabetic patients who suffer a stroke. In this context, the findings of a recent study that showed reduced stroke size following pretreatment with linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DDP-4) inhibitor, compared with glimepiride, in both diabetic and non-diabetic mice, appear promising. Despite these preclinical findings suggesting neuroprotective effects of DPP-4 inhibitors in acute stroke, it is still unclear whether these actions will also be observed in humans. Of note, two recent large randomized, placebo-controlled studies did not show any effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on cardiovascular events, including stroke. Several other ongoing trials are evaluating the effects of DPP-4 inhibitors on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These studies also provide a major opportunity to assess whether patients treated with this class of antidiabetic agents will suffer from less severe strokes and whether their outcome after stroke will be more favorable.展开更多
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the predominant cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.NAFLD progresses in some cases to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),which is characterized,in addition to liver fat...Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the predominant cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.NAFLD progresses in some cases to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),which is characterized,in addition to liver fat deposition,by hepatocyte ballooning,inflammation and liver fibrosis,and in some cases may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma.NAFLD prevalence increases along with the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Currently,lifestyle interventions and weight loss are used as the major therapeutic strategy in the vast majority of patients with NAFLD.Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs)are used in the management of T2DM and do not have major side effects like hypoglycemia.In patients with NAFLD,the GLP-1 receptor production is down-regulated.Recently,several animal and human studies have emphasized the role of GLP-1RAs in ameliorating liver fat accumulation,alleviating the inflammatory environment and preventing NAFLD progression to NASH.In this review,we summarize the updated literature data on the beneficial effects of GLP-1RAs in NAFLD/NASH.Finally,as GLP-1RAs seem to be an attractive therapeutic option for T2DM patients with concomitant NAFLD,we discuss whether GLP-1RAs should represent the first line pharmacotherapy for these patients.展开更多
Clopidogrel is a widely used antiplatelet agent for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndromes and ischemic stroke. Even though clopidogr...Clopidogrel is a widely used antiplatelet agent for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndromes and ischemic stroke. Even though clopidogrel is safer than aspirin in terms of risk for gastrointestinal(GI) bleeding, the elderly, and patients with a history of prior GI bleeding, with Helicobacter pylori infection or those who are also treated with aspirin, anticoagulants, corticosteroids or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are at high risk for GI complications when treated with clopidogrel. Accordingly, proton pump inhibitors are frequently administered in combination with clopidogrel to reduce the risk for GI bleeding. Nevertheless, pharmacodynamic studies suggest that omeprazole might attenuate the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. However, in observational studies, this interaction does not appear to translate into increased cardiovascular risk in patients treated with this combination. Moreover, in the only randomized, double-blind study that assessed the cardiovascular implications of combining clopidogrel and omeprazole, patients treated with clopidogrel/omeprazole combination had reduced risk for GI events and similar risk for cardiovascular events than patients treated with clopidogrel and placebo. However, the premature interruption of the study and the lack of power analysis in terms of the cardiovascular endpoint do not allow definite conclusions regarding the cardiovascular safety of clopidogrel/omeprazole combination. Other proton pump inhibitors do not appear to interact with clopidogrel. Nevertheless, given the limitations of existing observational and interventional studies, the decision to administer proton pump inhibitors to patients treated with clopidogrel should be individualized based on the patient's bleeding and cardiovascular risk.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)accounts for most cases of chronic liver disease worldwide,with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 25%and ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatiti...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)accounts for most cases of chronic liver disease worldwide,with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 25%and ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.NAFLD is strongly connected to metabolic syndrome,and for many years,fatty liver was considered to be an exclusive feature of obese patients.However,recent studies have highlighted the presence of NAFLD in non-obese subjects,with or without increased visceral fat or even in lean subjects without increased waist circumference.“Lean NAFLD”is a relatively new concept and there is significant scientific interest in understanding the differences in pathophysiology,prognosis and management compared with NAFLD in overweight/obese patients.In the present editorial,we discuss the clinical and metabolic profiles and outcomes of lean NAFLD compared with both obese NAFLD and lean healthy individuals from Asian and Western countries.Moreover,we shed light to the challenging topic of management of NAFLD in lean subjects since there are no specific guidelines for this population.Finally,we discuss open questions and issues to be addressed in the future in order to categorize NAFLD patients into lean and nonlean cohorts.展开更多
Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke. Moreover, ischemic stroke appears to be more severe in these patients and to be associated with less favorable outcome...Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke. Moreover, ischemic stroke appears to be more severe in these patients and to be associated with less favorable outcomes. However, strict glycemic control does not appear to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. On the other hand, newer glucose-lowering agents(glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodiumglucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors) reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in recent randomized, placebocontrolled trials. Semaglutide also reduced the risk of ischemic stroke. These benefits are independent of glucose lowering and might be due to the favorable effects of these agents on body weight and blood pressure. Pioglitazone also reduced the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with insulin resistance or type 2 DM but the unfavorable safety profile limits its use. In contrast, sulfonylureas and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors have a neutral effect on cardiovascular morbidity and might be less attractive options in this high-risk population.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)with acute ischemic stroke severity and in-hospital outcome.METHODS:We prospectively studied all patients who were admitted in our Department w...AIM:To evaluate the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)with acute ischemic stroke severity and in-hospital outcome.METHODS:We prospectively studied all patients who were admitted in our Department with acute ischemic stroke between September 2010 and August 2012(n=415;39.5%males,mean age 78.8±6.6 years).The severity of stroke was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission.NALFD was defined as serum alanine aminotransferase and/or aspartate aminotransferase levels above the upper limit of normal in the absence of other causes of elevated aminotransferases levels[chronic hepatitis B or C,drug toxicity,increased alcohol consumption(】21 and】14 drinks per week in men and women,respectively),cholestatic diseases or rhabdomyolysis].The outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin scale(mRS)score at discharge and in-hospital mortality.Adverse outcome was defined as mRS score at discharge≥2.Dependency at discharge was defined as mRS score between 2 to 5.RESULTS:NAFLD was present in 7.7%of the study population.Patients with NAFLD had lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels than patients without NAFLD(P【0.05 for both comparisons).Demographic data,the prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of established CVD did not differ between the two groups.At admission,the NIHSS score did not differ between patients with and without NAFLD(6.3±6.4and 8.8±9.6,respectively;P=NS).At discharge,the mRS score did not differ between the two groups(1.9±2.2 and 2.6±2.2 in patients with and without NAFLD,respectively;P=NS).Rates of dependency at discharge were also similar in patients with and without NAFLD(36.8%and 55.0%,respectively;P=NS)as were the rates of adverse outcome(42.9%and58.6%,respectively;P=NS).In-hospital mortality rates also did not differ between the 2 groups(8.0%and 7.0%in patients with and without NAFLD,respectively;P=NS).CONCLUSION:The presence of NAFLD in patients admitted for acute ischemic stroke does not appear to be associated with more severe stroke or with worse in-hospital outcome.展开更多
De novo lipogenesis(DNL)plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis and also appears to be implicated in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.Accordingly,the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase,whic...De novo lipogenesis(DNL)plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis and also appears to be implicated in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.Accordingly,the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase,which catalyzes the ratelimiting step of DNL,might represent a useful approach in the management of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Animal studies and preliminary data in patients with NAFLD consistently showed an improvement in steatosis with the use of these agents.However,effects on fibrosis were variable and an increase in plasma triglyceride levels was observed.Therefore,more longterm studies are needed to clarify the role of these agents in NAFLD and to determine their risk/benefit profile.展开更多
文摘AIM: To assess whether ischemic stroke severity and outcome is more adverse in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke between September 2010 and June 2013 were studied prospectively(n = 482; 40.2% males, age 78.8 ± 6.7 years). T2 DM was defined as self-reported T2 DM or antidiabetic treatment. Stroke severity was evaluated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) score at admission. The outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin scale(m RS) score at discharge and with in-hospital mortality. Adverse outcome was defined as m RS score at discharge ≥ 2 or in-hospital death. The length of hospitalization was also recorded.RESULTS: T2 DM was present in 32.2% of the study population. Patients with T2 DM had a larger waist circumference, higher serum triglyceride and glucose levels and lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as higher prevalence of hypertension, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure than patients without T2 DM. On the other hand, diabetic patients had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reported smaller consumption of alcohol than non-diabetic patients. At admission, the NIHSS score did not differ between patients with and without T2DM(8.7 ± 8.8 and 8.6 ± 9.2, respectively; P = NS). At discharge, the m RS score also did not differ between the two groups(2.7 ± 2.1 and 2.7 ± 2.2 in patients with and without T2 DM, respectively; P = NS). Rates of adverse outcome were also similar in patients with and without T2DM(62.3% and 58.5%, respectively; P = NS). However, when we adjusted for the differences between patients with T2 DM and those without T2 DM in cardiovascular risk factors, T2 DM was independently associated with adverse outcome [relative risk(RR) = 2.39; 95%CI: 1.21-4.72, P = 0.012]. Inhospital mortality rates did not differ between patients with T2 DM and those without T2DM(9.0% and 9.8%, respectively; P = NS). In multivariate analysis adjusting for the difference in cardiovascular risk factors between the two groups, T2 DM was again not associated with in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: T2 DM does not appear to affect ischemic stroke severity but is independently associated with a worse functional outcome at discharge.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest liver disease in Western countries.Treatment of NAFLD is currently based on lifestyle measures and no effective pharmacologic treatment is available so far.Emerging evidence,mainly from animal studies,suggests that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may be of major importance in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and indicates that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors(ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor blockers(ARBs) as a potentially useful therapeutic approach.However,data from human studies are limited and contradictory.In addition,there are few randomized controlled trials(RCTs) on the effects of ACE-I or ARB in patients with NAFLD and most data are from retrospective studies,pilot prospective studies and post hoc analyses of clinical trials.Accordingly,more and larger RCTs are needed to directly assess the effectiveness of ACE-I and ARBs in NAFLD.
文摘The possible relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and colorectal cancer (CRC), concerning pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms is highlighted in this review. The most recent and complete articles and developments in this particular field were thoroughly reviewed. Common risk factors, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and Western diet between DM and CRC, led to the theory that DM might be a causal agent for CRC development. Various studies have connected type 2 DM and CRC, either proximal or distal, in both sexes. Additionally, chronic insulin treatment has been linked with increased colorectal tumor risk among type 2 diabetic patients. Interestingly, elevated hemoglobin A1c has been proven to be an independent predictor of aggressive clinical behavior in CRC patients. These mechanisms include the insulin-like growth factor-hyperinsulinemia theory and the participation of oncogenic intracellular signaling pathways. Furthermore, it has been proposed that Cox-2 inhibitors might have a role in decreasing the incidence of CRC. Finally, the use of statins to reduce the risk for colon cancer in patients with diabetes has remained controversial. Diabetic patients over 50 should receive counseling regarding their elevated risk for CRC, and screening colonoscopy should be recommended before initiating insulin therapy. However, there are no current guidelines, and this strategy is not yet applicable to some countries, as the corresponding risk would not allow screening colonoscopy to be adopted. There is strong evidence to indicate that DM is a causal agent for CRC development. This conclusion provides new impetus for re-evaluating CRC screening worldwide.
文摘Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevention of HCC is of paramount importance in patients with CHB, particularly in those with cirrhosis. Antiviral treatment can potentially reduce the risk for HCC since it suppresses viral replication, induces HBeAg seroconversion and improves liver histology. However, most evidence supporting a protective effect of antiviral treatment originates from non-randomized or retrospective studies and is limited to conventional interferon and lamivudine. There is a paucity of data on the effects of pegylated interferon and "newer" oral agents (telbivudine, tenofovir, entecavir) on HCC risk. However, it should be emphasized that the existing randomized control studies in patients with CHB were relatively short-term and not designed to assess the effects of antiviral treatment on HCC risk. Since viral load directly correlates with HCC risk, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the reduction in viral load with antiviral treatment will also lower the risk of HCC. This benefit might become more readily apparent with the newer agents used in the management of CHB which are more effective and have a more favorable resistance profile.
文摘The development of effective nucleos(t)ide analogs(NAs)against hepatitis B virus(HBV)has improved the outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).This review updates issues related to the management of CHB patients included in special populations.Entecavir(ETV)and tenofovir(TDF)represent the currently recommended first-line NAs in patients with HBV decompensated cirrhosis.The combination of HBV immunoglobulin(usually for a finite duration)and NA is considered the standard of care for prophylaxis against HBV recurrence after liver transplantation.TDF is the best choice for hemodialysis patients and in patients with chronic kidney disease with nucleoside resistance.ETV and telbivudine are the preferred options in na?ve renal transplant recipients and with low viremia levels,respectively.All hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag)-positive candidates should be treated with NAs before renal transplantation to achieve undetectable HBV DNA at the time of transplantation.Conventional interferon or NAs can also be used in children,on the basis of well-established therapeutic indication.Pregnant women at high risk of perinatal transmission could be treated with lamivudine,telbivudine or TDF in the last trimester of pregnancy.HBs Ag-positive patients under immunosuppression should receive NA preemptively(regardless of HBV DNA levels)up to 12 mo after its cessation.In HBs Ag negative,anti-HBc positive patients under immunosuppression,further studies are needed to form a final conclusion;however,it seems that anti-HBV prophylaxis is justified in such patients with hematological diseases and/or for those receiving rituximab-containing regimens,regardless of their antiHBs or serum HBV DNA status.
文摘Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading cause of blindness, non-traumatic amputation and end-stage renal disease as well as a major cardiovascular risk factor. Tight glycemic control reduces the incidence of microvascular complications of T2DM whereas its effects on macrovascular complication are more controversial. However, glycemic targets are achieved by a minority of diabetic patients despite the availability of several antidiabetic agents. In the present commentary, we discuss the findings of two recent randomized studies that compared bariatric surgery with medical treatment in patients with uncontrolled T2DM. Both studies showed that bariatric surgery results in remission of T2DM in the majority of patients. However, both studies were limited to relatively young patients without comorbidities, had relatively short follow-up and did not assess the effects of surgery on T2DM complications. Moreover, the perioperative complications of bariatric surgery and its limited availability in some areas are additional barriers to the wider implementation of this therapeutic approach. On the other hand, the elucidation of the mechanisms underpinning the resolution of T2DM following bariatric surgery might resultin the development of novel, more effective pharmacotherapies for this common disease.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and includes simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). Since NASH progresses to cirrhosis more frequently and increases liver-related and cardiovascular disease risk substantially more than simple steatosis, there is a great need to differentiate the two entities. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of NAFLD but its disadvantages, including the risk of complications and sampling bias, stress the need for developing alternative diagnostic methods. Accordingly, several non-invasive markers have been evaluated for the diagnosis of simple steatosis and NASH, including both serological indices and imaging methods. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of these markers in the diagnosis of NAFLD. Current data suggest that ultrasound and the fibrosis-4 score are probably the most appealing methods for detecting steatosis and for distinguishing NASH from simple steatosis, respectively, because of their low cost and relatively high accuracy. However, currently available methods, both serologic and imaging, cannot obviate the need for liver biopsy for diagnosing NASH due to their substantial false positive and false negative rates. Therefore, the current role of these methods is probably limited in patients who are unwilling or have contraindications for undergoing biopsy.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and its prevalence is increasing driven by the pandemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. NAFLD can progress to cirrhosis and is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and hepatocellular cancer. Diet and exercise are limited by suboptimal long-term adherence in patients with NAFLD. On the other hand, current pharmacological treatment of NAFLD has limited efficacy and unfavorable safety profile. In this context, obeticholic acid(OCA), a selective agonist of the farnesoid X receptors, might represent a useful option in these patients. Preclinical studies suggest that OCA improves hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. A proof-of-concept study and the randomized, placebo-controlled Farnesoid X Receptor Ligand Obeticholic Acid in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis Treatment(FLINT) trial also showed improvements in liver histology in patients with NAFLD who received OCA. Weight loss and reduction in blood pressure were also observed. However, the effects of OCA on insulin resistance are conflicting and the lipid profile is adversely affected by this agent. In addition, pruritus is frequently observed during treatment with OCA and might lead to treatment discontinuation. However, given the limitations of existing treatments for NAFLD, OCA might represent a useful therapeutic option in selected patients with NAFLD.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease in high-income countries and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Macrophages appear to play an important role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Accordingly, modulation of macrophage trafficking might represent an attractive therapeutic strategy in this population. Cenicriviroc is an oral inhibitor of the chemokine ligand 2/C-C chemokine receptor 2 pathway, which plays an important role in the hepatic recruitment of the macrophages. Preclinical studies and a phase 2b study in humans suggest that this agent might hold promise in the management of NAFLD.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and affects a considerab-le proportion of the general population. NAFLD is independently associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events, particularly coronary heart disease. Importantly, even though NAFLD is more prevalent in patients with major cardiovascular risk factors(e.g., type 2 diab-etes mellitus, ob-esity and hypertension), the association b-etween NAFLD and cardiovascular disease appears to b-e independent of these risk factors. However, NAFLD also appears to increase the risk for ischemic stroke, a leading cause of mortality and long-term disab-ility worldwide. It also appears that nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is more strongly related to the risk of ischemic stroke than isolated hepatic steatosis. Moreover, emerging data suggest that patients with NAFLD experience more severe ischemic stroke and have more unfavorab-le prognosis after an acute ischemic stroke in terms of functional dependency and short-and long-term mortality. These associations have major pub-lic health implications, since ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and an important cause of long-term disab-ility. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the relationship b-etween NAFLD and ischemic stroke incidence, severity and outcome. Given these associations, it might b-e useful to evaluate patients with acute ischemic stroke for the presence of NAFLD and to manage those with NAFLD more aggressively.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries and is associated not only with increased risk for liver disease-related complications but also with higher cardiovascular morbidity. Accordingly, lipid-lowering agents are frequently considered in these patients to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, there have been concerns regarding the safety of these agents in patients with chronic liver diseases. In the present review, we discuss the safety of lipid-lowering agents in patients with NAFLD as well as their effects on both cardiovascular and liver disease in this population. Accumulating data suggest that statins are safe in patients with NAFLD and that they reduce the increased cardiovascular morbidity of this population. However, it is still unclear whether statins are also useful as a treatment for NAFLD per se, since there are very limited and conflicting data on their effects on liver histology. There is also very scarce evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of other lipid-lowering agents in patients with NAFLD. Randomized controlled studies are needed to evaluate the role of lipid-lowering agents and particularly statins for the prevention of both cardiovascular and liver disease-related complications in this high-risk population.
文摘Diabetic retinopathy affects a substantial proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus(DM) and is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged adults. Even though the incidence of diabetic retinopathy has declined in the last decades, its prevalence increased and is expected to rise further as a result of the increasing incidence of type 2 DM(T2DM) and the longer life expectancy of patients with DM. The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy is multifactorial. Some observational studies suggested an association between dyslipidemia and the development and progression of retinopathy in patients with DM but others did not confirm this association. Regarding lipid-lowering agents, studies that evaluated the role of statins in the management of these patients are mostly small and yielded discrepant results. Large randomized studies with statins in patients with T2DM showed no benefit of these agents on diabetic retinopathy but were not designed to address this effect. In contrast, both preclinical data and two large randomized controlled studies, the FIELD and the ACCORD trial, showed that fenofibrate delays the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Even though the mechanisms underpinning this favorable effect are not entirely clear, these findings suggest that fenofibrate might represent a useful tool for the management of diabetic retinopathy.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD is considerably more frequent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in the general population and is also more severe histologically in this group. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, the newest class of antidiabetic agents, appear to represent a promising option for the management of NAFLD in patients with T2DM. In a number of studies, treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors resulted in a reduction in hepatic steatosis and in transaminase levels. However, existing studies are small, their follow-up period was short and none evaluated the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on liver histology. Accordingly, larger studies are needed to verify these preliminary results and define the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of NAFLD in patients with T2DM.
文摘Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Given the detrimental effects of acute stroke, several neuroprotective agents have been evaluated in these patients. However, the benefits of the evaluated agents appear to be limited and none is currently recommended for clinical use. On the other hand, prior treatment with agents that are used for the primary and secondary prevention of stroke, including statins and antiplatelets, has been associated with better outcome in patients who experience an acute stroke. In contrast, there are limited data as to whether prior treatment with antidiabetic agents is beneficial in diabetic patients who suffer a stroke. In this context, the findings of a recent study that showed reduced stroke size following pretreatment with linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DDP-4) inhibitor, compared with glimepiride, in both diabetic and non-diabetic mice, appear promising. Despite these preclinical findings suggesting neuroprotective effects of DPP-4 inhibitors in acute stroke, it is still unclear whether these actions will also be observed in humans. Of note, two recent large randomized, placebo-controlled studies did not show any effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on cardiovascular events, including stroke. Several other ongoing trials are evaluating the effects of DPP-4 inhibitors on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These studies also provide a major opportunity to assess whether patients treated with this class of antidiabetic agents will suffer from less severe strokes and whether their outcome after stroke will be more favorable.
文摘Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the predominant cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.NAFLD progresses in some cases to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH),which is characterized,in addition to liver fat deposition,by hepatocyte ballooning,inflammation and liver fibrosis,and in some cases may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma.NAFLD prevalence increases along with the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Currently,lifestyle interventions and weight loss are used as the major therapeutic strategy in the vast majority of patients with NAFLD.Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs)are used in the management of T2DM and do not have major side effects like hypoglycemia.In patients with NAFLD,the GLP-1 receptor production is down-regulated.Recently,several animal and human studies have emphasized the role of GLP-1RAs in ameliorating liver fat accumulation,alleviating the inflammatory environment and preventing NAFLD progression to NASH.In this review,we summarize the updated literature data on the beneficial effects of GLP-1RAs in NAFLD/NASH.Finally,as GLP-1RAs seem to be an attractive therapeutic option for T2DM patients with concomitant NAFLD,we discuss whether GLP-1RAs should represent the first line pharmacotherapy for these patients.
文摘Clopidogrel is a widely used antiplatelet agent for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndromes and ischemic stroke. Even though clopidogrel is safer than aspirin in terms of risk for gastrointestinal(GI) bleeding, the elderly, and patients with a history of prior GI bleeding, with Helicobacter pylori infection or those who are also treated with aspirin, anticoagulants, corticosteroids or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are at high risk for GI complications when treated with clopidogrel. Accordingly, proton pump inhibitors are frequently administered in combination with clopidogrel to reduce the risk for GI bleeding. Nevertheless, pharmacodynamic studies suggest that omeprazole might attenuate the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. However, in observational studies, this interaction does not appear to translate into increased cardiovascular risk in patients treated with this combination. Moreover, in the only randomized, double-blind study that assessed the cardiovascular implications of combining clopidogrel and omeprazole, patients treated with clopidogrel/omeprazole combination had reduced risk for GI events and similar risk for cardiovascular events than patients treated with clopidogrel and placebo. However, the premature interruption of the study and the lack of power analysis in terms of the cardiovascular endpoint do not allow definite conclusions regarding the cardiovascular safety of clopidogrel/omeprazole combination. Other proton pump inhibitors do not appear to interact with clopidogrel. Nevertheless, given the limitations of existing observational and interventional studies, the decision to administer proton pump inhibitors to patients treated with clopidogrel should be individualized based on the patient's bleeding and cardiovascular risk.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)accounts for most cases of chronic liver disease worldwide,with an estimated global prevalence of approximately 25%and ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.NAFLD is strongly connected to metabolic syndrome,and for many years,fatty liver was considered to be an exclusive feature of obese patients.However,recent studies have highlighted the presence of NAFLD in non-obese subjects,with or without increased visceral fat or even in lean subjects without increased waist circumference.“Lean NAFLD”is a relatively new concept and there is significant scientific interest in understanding the differences in pathophysiology,prognosis and management compared with NAFLD in overweight/obese patients.In the present editorial,we discuss the clinical and metabolic profiles and outcomes of lean NAFLD compared with both obese NAFLD and lean healthy individuals from Asian and Western countries.Moreover,we shed light to the challenging topic of management of NAFLD in lean subjects since there are no specific guidelines for this population.Finally,we discuss open questions and issues to be addressed in the future in order to categorize NAFLD patients into lean and nonlean cohorts.
文摘Diabetes mellitus(DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke. Moreover, ischemic stroke appears to be more severe in these patients and to be associated with less favorable outcomes. However, strict glycemic control does not appear to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. On the other hand, newer glucose-lowering agents(glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodiumglucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors) reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in recent randomized, placebocontrolled trials. Semaglutide also reduced the risk of ischemic stroke. These benefits are independent of glucose lowering and might be due to the favorable effects of these agents on body weight and blood pressure. Pioglitazone also reduced the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with insulin resistance or type 2 DM but the unfavorable safety profile limits its use. In contrast, sulfonylureas and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors have a neutral effect on cardiovascular morbidity and might be less attractive options in this high-risk population.
文摘AIM:To evaluate the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)with acute ischemic stroke severity and in-hospital outcome.METHODS:We prospectively studied all patients who were admitted in our Department with acute ischemic stroke between September 2010 and August 2012(n=415;39.5%males,mean age 78.8±6.6 years).The severity of stroke was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission.NALFD was defined as serum alanine aminotransferase and/or aspartate aminotransferase levels above the upper limit of normal in the absence of other causes of elevated aminotransferases levels[chronic hepatitis B or C,drug toxicity,increased alcohol consumption(】21 and】14 drinks per week in men and women,respectively),cholestatic diseases or rhabdomyolysis].The outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin scale(mRS)score at discharge and in-hospital mortality.Adverse outcome was defined as mRS score at discharge≥2.Dependency at discharge was defined as mRS score between 2 to 5.RESULTS:NAFLD was present in 7.7%of the study population.Patients with NAFLD had lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels than patients without NAFLD(P【0.05 for both comparisons).Demographic data,the prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of established CVD did not differ between the two groups.At admission,the NIHSS score did not differ between patients with and without NAFLD(6.3±6.4and 8.8±9.6,respectively;P=NS).At discharge,the mRS score did not differ between the two groups(1.9±2.2 and 2.6±2.2 in patients with and without NAFLD,respectively;P=NS).Rates of dependency at discharge were also similar in patients with and without NAFLD(36.8%and 55.0%,respectively;P=NS)as were the rates of adverse outcome(42.9%and58.6%,respectively;P=NS).In-hospital mortality rates also did not differ between the 2 groups(8.0%and 7.0%in patients with and without NAFLD,respectively;P=NS).CONCLUSION:The presence of NAFLD in patients admitted for acute ischemic stroke does not appear to be associated with more severe stroke or with worse in-hospital outcome.
文摘De novo lipogenesis(DNL)plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis and also appears to be implicated in hepatic inflammation and fibrosis.Accordingly,the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase,which catalyzes the ratelimiting step of DNL,might represent a useful approach in the management of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Animal studies and preliminary data in patients with NAFLD consistently showed an improvement in steatosis with the use of these agents.However,effects on fibrosis were variable and an increase in plasma triglyceride levels was observed.Therefore,more longterm studies are needed to clarify the role of these agents in NAFLD and to determine their risk/benefit profile.
