Abstract
Purpose of Review: This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver fibrosis, and provides insight into the role of dysmetabolism in hepatic fibrogenesis. Clinical relevance of drugs correcting these metabolic disturbances in the reversion of liver fibrosis will also be discussed. Recent Findings: Liver fibrosis affects more than ten millions of people worldwide and may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and death. Recent epidemiological data indicate that the incidence of liver fibrosis is expected to triple during the next 10 to 15 years as a result of the HCV infection and NAFLD escalation. In accordance with the modern view of liver fibrogenesis, the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis appear to be broadly similar regardless of the etiology. Summary: Some features of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes represent a strong risk factor in development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. However, whatever the cause, fibrosis culminates in cirrhosis and results in liver failure, thus, a potent anti-fibrotic therapy is urgently needed to reverse scarring and eliminate progression to cirrhosis.
Keywords: HCV, hepatic fibrosis, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Current Drug Targets
Title: Liver Fibrosis and Therapeutic Strategies: The Goal for Improving Metabolism
Volume: 10 Issue: 6
Author(s): Clara Balsano, Anna Alisi and Valerio Nobili
Affiliation:
Keywords: HCV, hepatic fibrosis, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Abstract: Purpose of Review: This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver fibrosis, and provides insight into the role of dysmetabolism in hepatic fibrogenesis. Clinical relevance of drugs correcting these metabolic disturbances in the reversion of liver fibrosis will also be discussed. Recent Findings: Liver fibrosis affects more than ten millions of people worldwide and may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and death. Recent epidemiological data indicate that the incidence of liver fibrosis is expected to triple during the next 10 to 15 years as a result of the HCV infection and NAFLD escalation. In accordance with the modern view of liver fibrogenesis, the pathways involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis appear to be broadly similar regardless of the etiology. Summary: Some features of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes represent a strong risk factor in development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. However, whatever the cause, fibrosis culminates in cirrhosis and results in liver failure, thus, a potent anti-fibrotic therapy is urgently needed to reverse scarring and eliminate progression to cirrhosis.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Balsano Clara, Alisi Anna and Nobili Valerio, Liver Fibrosis and Therapeutic Strategies: The Goal for Improving Metabolism, Current Drug Targets 2009; 10 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945009788488459
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945009788488459 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New drug therapy for eye diseases
Eyesight is one of the most critical senses, accounting for over 80% of our perceptions. Our quality of life might be significantly affected by eye disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, etc. Although the development of microinvasive ocular surgery reduces surgical complications and improves overall outcomes, medication therapy is ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Endocrinological Aspects of Proteinuria and Podocytopathy in Diabetes: Role of the Aldosterone/Mineralocorticoid Receptor System
Current Diabetes Reviews Bacteriophage - A Common Divergent Therapeutic Approach for Alzheimer's Disease and Type II Diabetes Mellitus
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets On the Diversity of Oxidative Bioactivation Reactions on Nitrogen- Containing Xenobiotics
Current Drug Metabolism Depression and Self-Efficacy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Northern Greece
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Pulmonary Valve Endocarditis: A Case Report
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Development and Evaluation of Nateglinide Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles
Micro and Nanosystems Adipose Tissue: Something More than Just Adipocytes
Current Nutrition & Food Science Amyloid and Tau Positron Emission Tomography in Suggested Diabetesrelated Dementia
Current Alzheimer Research The Expanding Role of TNF-Receptor Super Family Member CD40 (tnfrsf5) in Autoimmune Disease: Focus on Th40 Cells
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Advances in Insulin Sensitizers
Current Medicinal Chemistry Glucagon Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Dynamics Following Bariatric Surgery: A Signpost to a New Frontier
Current Diabetes Reviews Transplantation of Pancreatic Islets Immobilized in Alginate-Based Microcapsules: From Animal Studies to Clinical Trials
Micro and Nanosystems Pathogenesis and Management of Hypertension after Kidney Transplantation
Current Hypertension Reviews Patent Selection
Recent Patents on Engineering Recent Applications of Polyacrylamide as Biomaterials
Recent Patents on Materials Science Sleep Duration as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease- a Review of the Recent Literature
Current Cardiology Reviews Syncytin and GCMa: Key Regulators in Human Placental Physiology and in Pre-Eclampsia
Current Women`s Health Reviews Physical Activity and Insulin Resistance
Current Nutrition & Food Science Current Status and Perspectives in Peptide Receptor Radiation Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Endocannabinoid Blockade and the Cardiovascular System
Current Drug Therapy