• 대한한방내과학회지
• /
• 제37권5호
• /
• pp.726-732
• /
• 2016

Objective: To report the clinical effect of Korean medicine treatment in an adolescent patient diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with obesity. Methods: The patient was treated from July 9th, 2014 to August 7th, 2014. He was taking Saenggangeonbi-tang (生肝建脾湯) during the treatment period. He also undertook regular exercise and regulated his diet to reduce body weight. Results: The patient’s AST, ALT, and GGT levels were significantly decreased. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels were also decreased, and HDL level was increased. His body weight and body mass index (BMI) were decreased. Conclusions: The results suggest that Saenggangeonbi-tang with exercise and regulated diet could be an effective treatment for adolescent NAFLD with obesity in clinics.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제44권2호
• /
• pp.350-361
• /
• 2020

Background: Black ginseng (BG) is a type of Korean ginseng prepared by steaming and drying raw ginseng to improve the saponin content. This study examined the effects of BG on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in HepG2 cells and diet-induced obese mice. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with free fatty acids to induce lipid accumulation before supplementation with BG. NAFLD-induced mice were fed different doses (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) of BG for 8 weeks. Results: BG significantly reduced lipid accumulation and expression of lipogenic genes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and fatty acid synthase in HepG2 cells, and the livers of mice fed a 45% high-fat diet with 10% fructose in the drinking water (HFHF diet). BG supplementation caused a significant reduction in levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, while antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly increased in 45% high-fat diet with 10% fructose in the drinking water diet-fed mice. Expression of proliferator-activated receptor alpha and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I were upregulated at the transcription and translation levels in both HepG2 cells and diet-induced obese mice. Furthermore, BG-induced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl CoA carboxylase in both models, suggesting its role in AMP-activated protein kinase activation and the acetyl CoA carboxylase signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate that BG may be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of NAFLD.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.233-241
• /
• 2019

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency is a condition widespread throughout the world. Recent studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency was associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents. Methods: The data were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008-2014. A total of 3,878 adolescents were included in the study. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <20 ng/mL and suspected NAFLD was defined as an alanine transaminase concentration >30 U/L. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was noted in 78.9% of the studied population. Age, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in adolescents with suspected NAFLD than in adolescents without suspected NAFLD, while the mean vitamin D level was significantly lower in adolescents with suspected NAFLD. The multivariate-adjusted odds of suspected NAFLD were higher with increased age, male gender, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Individuals with vitamin D deficiency were at higher risk of suspected NAFLD (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.95) after adjusting for age, gender, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with suspected NAFLD, independent of obesity and metabolic syndrome, in adolescents.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
• /
• 제38권4호
• /
• pp.270-282
• /
• 2023

We performed a study to examine the association between diet quality and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our study included 3,586 women aged 40-64 years who participated in the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study subjects were classified into the NAFLD group (n=816) and the normal group (n=2,770) using the hepatic steatosis index. The anthropometric indices, blood profiles, and dietary intake data of the subjects were obtained. The waist circumference, body mass index, and the serum levels of triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in the NAFLD compared to the normal groups (p<0.001, respectively). The intakes of protein (g/kg body weight, p<0.001), potassium (p<0.001), and vitamin A (p=0.006) were significantly lower in the NAFLD group. It was observed that the higher the total Korean Healthy Eating Index score, the lower the risk of NAFLD. A reverse relationship was shown between the NAFLD risk and the intakes of total fruits, total vegetables, vegetables excluding Kimchi and pickled vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and beans. Therefore, it is recommended that middle-aged women in Korea increase their intakes of fruits, vegetables, and foods high in protein for the proper management of NAFLD.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• 제21권1호
• /
• pp.14-23
• /
• 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by fat accumulation and is associated with oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract (PPE) against oxidative stress in the liver of rats with NAFLD. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD), 20% corn oil, or palm oil for 8 weeks in the presence or absence of PPE. The control group was fed a basal diet. The progression of NAFLD was evaluated histologically and by measuring liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase), serum lipids (triglycerides and total cholesterol), and oxidative stress markers. The HFD feeding increased the body weight and caused NAFLD, liver steatosis, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and elevated liver enzymes. Administration of PPE ameliorated the hepatic morphology, reduced body weight, improved liver enzymes, and inhibited lipogenesis. Furthermore, PPE enhanced the cellular redox status in the liver tissue of rats with NAFLD. Our findings suggest that PPE could improve HFD-induced NAFLD via abolishment of hepatic oxidative damage and hyperlipidemia. PPE might be considered as a potential lead material in the treatment of NAFLD and obesity through the modulation of lipid metabolism.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제24권6호
• /
• pp.518-527
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The incidence of hepatic steatosis among children has been increasing; however, data distinguishing simple steatosis from a more complex disorder are lacking. Methods: This study identified the etiologies resulting in hepatic steatosis through a retrospective review of pediatric liver biopsies performed in the last 10 years. A total of 158 patients with hepatic steatosis proven by histopathological evaluation were enrolled in the study, and baseline demographic features, anthropometric measurements, physical examination findings, laboratory data, ultrasonographic findings, and liver histopathologies were noted. Results: The two most common diagnoses were inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) (52.5%) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) (29.7%). The three most common diseases in the IEM group were glycogen storage disorders, Wilson's disease, and mitochondrial disease. The rates of consanguineous marriage (75.6%; odds ratio [OR], 26.040) and positive family history (26.5%; OR, 8.115) were significantly higher (p=0.002, p<0.001, respectively) in the IEM group than those in the NAFLD/NASH group. Younger age (p=0.001), normal anthropometric measurements (p=0.03), increased aspartate aminotransferase levels (p<0.001), triglyceride levels (p=0.001), and cholestatic biochemical parameters with disrupted liver function tests, as well as severe liver destruction of hepatic architecture, cholestasis, fibrosis, and nodule formation, were also common in the IEM group. Conclusion: Parents with consanguinity and positive family history, together with clinical and biochemical findings, may provide a high index of suspicion for IEM to distinguish primary steatosis from the consequence of a more complex disorder.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제23권1호
• /
• pp.13-29
• /
• 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver, is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. The current standard for the detection of hepatic steatosis is liver biopsy; however, it is limited by invasiveness and sampling errors. Accordingly, MR spectroscopy and proton density fat fraction obtained with MRI have been accepted as non-invasive modalities for quantifying hepatic steatosis. Recently, various quantitative ultrasonography techniques have been developed and validated for the quantification of hepatic steatosis. These techniques measure various acoustic parameters, including attenuation coefficient, backscatter coefficient and speckle statistics, speed of sound, and shear wave elastography metrics. In this article, we introduce several representative quantitative ultrasonography techniques and their diagnostic value for the detection of hepatic steatosis.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
• /
• 제35권1호
• /
• pp.17-23
• /
• 2012

비알코올성 지방간 질환(NAFLD)은 알코올을 과도하게 섭취하지 않고도 간세포 내에 지방이 축적되어 있는 상태이며, 이는 비만과 밀접한 관련이 있다고 연구되어 지고 있다. 이 연구의 목표는 NAFLD의 위험인자를 파악하여 예방하거나 위험요인을 관리하는데 있다. 이 연구는 2011년 5월 1일부터 10월 31일까지 6개월 동안 진행되었고, 복부초음파 검사를 시행한 83명 중 연구 실험에 적합한 11명을 특별히 심사해서 선정하였다. 연구결과는 다음과 같이 나타났는데 첫째, 체중과 체질량지수에 있어 유의한 감소경향을 나타냈고, 둘째, 초음파 진단 상 지방간 심화정도의 변화에서 유의한 감소경향을 나타났으며, 셋째, 칼로리에 상관없이 꾸준한 운동을 하면 지방간 심화정도가 감소경향을 나타냈다. 따라서, 이 연구에서는 장기적인 운동 프로그램을 적용할 경우에는 지방간 치료에 긍정적인 효과를 나타낼 수 있을 것으로 추론해 본다.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.54-64
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most frequent cause of chronic liver diseases in both adults and children with obesity. The aim of this study was to compare the changes in liver enzymes and metabolic profile in adolescents with fatty liver following selected school-based exercise (SBE) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) interventions. Methods: In a semi-experimental study, 34 obese male adolescents with clinically defined NAFLD were divided into the HIIT (n=11, age=12.81±1.02 years, body mass index [BMI]=26.68±2.32 kg/㎡), selected SBE (n=11, age=13.39±0.95 years, BMI=26.47±1.74 kg/㎡), and control (n=12, age=13.14±1.49 years, BMI=26.45±2.21 kg/㎡) groups. The ultrasonography NAFLD grade, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), lipid profile, insulin resistance, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels of the participants were measured before and after the exercise interventions. Results: The BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage of the participants decreased, and a significant increase in VO2peak was observed after the intervention; however, the HIIT group showed a significant improvement compared with the SBE group (p<0.01). Significant reductions were observed in the levels of insulin resistance, triglyceride, total cholesterol, ALT, and AST in both groups, although high-density lipoprotein levels decreased only in the HIIT group (p<0.01). Further, a significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein level was observed in the training groups (p<0.01), but this decrease was not significant compared with the control group (p>0.01). Conclusion: HIIT and SBE are equally effective in improving health parameters in obese children and adolescents.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제16권1호
• /
• pp.22-27
• /
• 2013

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. Obesity can cause hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Many environmental or genetic factors have been suggested to contribute to the development of obesity, but there is no satisfactory explanation for its increased prevalence. This review discusses the latest updates on the role of the gut microbiota in obesity and NAFLD.