1
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Flores Lopez AG, Quiros-Tejeira RE, Lyden E, McGill B, Dike CR. Association between BMI Change, Transaminases, and Other Metabolic Parameters in Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Obes 2024; 2024:6997280. [PMID: 38817395 PMCID: PMC11139528 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6997280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Weight loss and lifestyle interventions are the mainstay of treatment in pediatric NAFLD. There are gaps in the literature on the objective improvement in BMI to meaningfully impact NAFLD in children. Aim To determine the decrease in BMI associated with a significant decline in ALT and other metabolic parameters. Methods Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with the diagnosis of NAFLD. Data were collected at the baseline and 6 and 12 months. A linear regression model was used to assess the percent change in BMI predictive of change in ALT and other metabolic parameters. Results 281 charts were included. 71% of patients who had up to a 2.5% loss in BMI at 6 months had a decrease in ALT of up to 10 U/L compared to 43% patients who did not have a decrease in BMI up to 2.5% loss at the same time period (P=0.01). The linear regression model showed that 6-month and 12-month percent changes in BMI are predictive of 6-month and 12-month ALT changes (P=0.01 and 0.02), respectively. ALT normalization was achieved on 12% of patients with a ≥2.5% decrease in BMI at 6 months compared to 1% of patients that had no decrease of ≥2.5% decrease in BMI at 6 months (P=0.01). The mean BMI Z-score decline was 0.18 (P=0.001) in the group with a ≥2.5% decrease in BMI at 6 months. Conclusions BMI loss of up to 2.5% and the mean BMI Z-score 0.18 are associated with a significant decrease in ALT of up to 10 U/L. BMI percent change at 6 months and 12 months is predictive of changes in ALT. These results should help guide providers in clinical practice set objective goals for the management of children with NAFLD resulting from obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro G. Flores Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children's Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ruben E. Quiros-Tejeira
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children's Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lyden
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Brooke McGill
- Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Chinenye R. Dike
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children's Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA
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2
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Goyal NP, Mencin A, Newton KP, Durelle J, Carrier C, Ugalde-Nicalo P, Noel B, Mouton J, Vargas D, Magrez D, Tadde B, Birman P, Best BM, Addy C, Schwimmer JB. An Open Label, Randomized, Multicenter Study of Elafibranor in Children With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023; 77:160-165. [PMID: 37084342 PMCID: PMC10523882 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease in children. Elafibranor, a dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/δ agonist, has been proposed as a treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aims were to (1) describe pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of oral elafibranor at 2 doses (80 and 120 mg) in children 8-17 years and (2) assess changes in aminotransferases. METHODS Children with NASH were randomized to open-label elafibranor 80 mg or 120 mg daily for 12 weeks. The intent-to-treat analysis included all participants who received at least 1 dose. Standard descriptive statistics and PK analyses were performed. RESULTS Ten males [mean 15.1 years, standard deviation (SD) 2.2] with NASH were randomized to 80 mg (n = 5) or 120 mg (n = 5). Baseline mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 82 U/L (SD 13) and 87 U/L (SD 20) for 80 mg and 120 mg groups, respectively. Elafibranor was rapidly absorbed and well tolerated. Elafibranor plasma exposure increased between the 80 mg and 120 mg dose with a 1.9- and 1.3-fold increase in median Cmax and AUC 0-24 , respectively. End of treatment mean ALT was 52 U/L (SD 20) for the 120 mg group, with a relative mean ALT change from baseline of -37.4% (SD 23.8%) at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Once daily dosing of elafibranor was well tolerated in children with NASH. There was a 37.4% relative reduction from mean baseline ALT in the 120 mg group. Decreasing ALT may be associated with improvement in liver histology, thus could be considered a surrogate for histology in early phase trials. These results may support further exploration of elafibranor in children with NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi P. Goyal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Ali Mencin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Kimberly P. Newton
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Janis Durelle
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Carissa Carrier
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | - Patricia Ugalde-Nicalo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Brookie M. Best
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC San Diego La Jolla
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems & Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Jeffrey B. Schwimmer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California
- Department of Gastroenterology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California
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3
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Li L, Song Y, Shi Y, Sun L. Thyroid Hormone Receptor-β Agonists in NAFLD Therapy: Possibilities and Challenges. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:1602-1613. [PMID: 36746649 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive metabolic liver disease with an unknown pathogenesis and no FDA-approved drug treatment to date. Hypothyroidism has been identified as a risk factor for NAFLD as thyroxine is required for regulating metabolism in adults. Thyroxine has been shown to reduce fat in the livers of murine models with experimentally induced NAFLD. The use of synthetic thyroxine has been shown to increase lipid metabolism leading to weight loss; however, thyroxine has also been shown to cause many side effects, especially in the heart. Overcoming these cardiac side effects involves designing agonists specific to one of the 2 gene subtypes for the thyroid hormone (TH) receptor (TR), TRβ. While the other TH receptor subtype, TRα, is mainly expressed in the heart and is responsible for thyroxine's cardiac function, TRβ is mainly expressed in the liver and is involved in liver function. Using TRβ-specific agonists to treat NAFLD can prevent cardiac and other adverse side effects. Several TRβ-specific agonists have shown positive therapeutic effects in NAFLD animal models and have entered clinical trials. We seek to provide a comprehensive updated reference of TRβ-specific agonists in this review and explore the future therapeutic potential of TRβ-specific activation in the treatment of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limei Li
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yan Song
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Yongquan Shi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Liangliang Sun
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
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4
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Johansen MJ, Vonsild Lund MA, Ängquist L, Fonvig CE, Holm LA, Chabanova E, Thomsen HS, Hansen T, Holm J. Possible prediction of obesity-related liver disease in children and adolescents using indices of body composition. Pediatr Obes 2022; 17:e12947. [PMID: 35726748 PMCID: PMC9541567 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents currently requires advanced or invasive technologies. OBJECTIVES We aimed to develop a method to improve diagnosis, using body composition indices and liver biochemical markers. METHODS To diagnose non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, 767 Danish children and adolescents underwent clinical examination, blood sampling, whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy for liver fat quantification. Fourteen variables were selected as a starting point to construct models, narrowed by stepwise selection. Individuals were split into a training set for model construction and a validation test set. The final models were applied to 2120 Danish children and adolescents to estimate the prevalence. RESULTS The final models included five variables in different combinations: body mass index-standard deviation score, android-to-gynoid-fat ratio, android-regional fat percent, trunk-regional fat percent and alanine transaminase. When validated, the sensitivity and specificity ranged from 38.6% to 51.7% and 87.6% to 91.9%, respectively. The estimated prevalence was 24.2%-35.3%. Models including alanine transaminase alongside body composition measurements displayed higher sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Body composition indices and alanine transaminase can be used to estimate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with 38.6%-51.7% sensitivity and 87.6%-91.9%, specificity, in children and adolescents with overweight (including obesity). These estimated a 24.2%-35.3% prevalence in 2120 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Jung Johansen
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, Accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of PediatricsCopenhagen University Hospital HolbækHolbækDenmark
| | - Morten Asp Vonsild Lund
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, Accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of PediatricsCopenhagen University Hospital HolbækHolbækDenmark,Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Lars Ängquist
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Cilius Esmann Fonvig
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, Accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of PediatricsCopenhagen University Hospital HolbækHolbækDenmark,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Louise Aas Holm
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, Accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of PediatricsCopenhagen University Hospital HolbækHolbækDenmark,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Henrik S. Thomsen
- Department of RadiologyHerlev Gentofte HospitalHerlevDenmark,Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Torben Hansen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark,Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdenseDenmark
| | - Jens‐Christian Holm
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, Accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of PediatricsCopenhagen University Hospital HolbækHolbækDenmark,The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark,Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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5
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Dionysopoulos G, Kalopitas G, Vadarlis A, Bakaloudi DR, Gkiourtzis N, Karanika E, Tsekitsidi E, Chourdakis M. Can omega-3 fatty acids be beneficial in pediatric NAFLD? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 63:8545-8553. [PMID: 35400251 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2062589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in children and no medications or supplements are currently recommended. The role of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids has been investigated in clinical trials with promising results. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed summary of the evidence about the efficacy of n-3 in the treatment of pediatric NAFLD. A systematic literature search was performed through major electronic databases up to September 20, 2021 for randomized placebo-controlled trials, investigating the efficacy of n-3 fatty acids in children with NAFLD. The primary outcomes were changes in serum transaminases concentration, Body Mass Index (BMI) and improvement of ultrasonographic liver steatosis. The secondary outcomes were changes in the patients' serum lipid profile, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), fasting blood glucose (FBG), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (ΗΟΜΑ-ΙR) and waist circumference (WC). Results were expressed as mean differences for continuous outcomes and odds ratios for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals. Six RCTs (n = 378 patients) were included. Treatment with n-3, compared to placebo, resulted in a statistically significant reduction in transaminases concentration. In addition, a significant improvement in liver steatosis assessed by ultrasonography and a decrease in BMI were observed. N-3 fatty acids supplementation seems to be an effective alternative treatment in pediatric NAFLD by improving liver biochemistry, ultrasonographic steatosis and BMI. Further research is required concerning the effect of n-3 fatty acids in liver histology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Dionysopoulos
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Kalopitas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Andreas Vadarlis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital of Thessaloniki "G. Papanikolaou,"Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra Rafailia Bakaloudi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Gkiourtzis
- 4th Department of Paediatrics, Papageorgiou University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Karanika
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eirini Tsekitsidi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michail Chourdakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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6
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Steinman JB, Salomao MA, Pajvani UB. Zonation in NASH - A key paradigm for understanding pathophysiology and clinical outcomes. Liver Int 2021; 41:2534-2546. [PMID: 34328687 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) exists as a spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to histologically defined hepatocyte injury and inflammatory changes that define steatohepatitis (NASH), and increase risk for fibrosis. Although zonal differences in NASH have not been systematically studied, periportal involvement has been associated with worse metabolic outcomes and more hepatic fibrosis as compared to pericentral disease. These data suggest that hepatic zonation of disease may influence the diversity of clinical presentations. Similarly, several randomized clinical trials suggest a differential response based on zonation of disease, with preferential effects on periportal (cysteamine) or pericentral disease (obeticholic acid, pioglitazone). Intriguingly, morphogenic pathways known to affect zonal development and maintenance - WNT/β-Catenin, Hedgehog, HIPPO/Yap/TAZ and Notch - have been implicated in NASH pathogenesis, and nuclear hormone receptors downstream of potential NASH therapeutics show zonal preferences. In this review, we summarize these data and propose that patient-specific activation of these pathways may explain the variability in clinical presentation, and the zone-specific response observed in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcela A Salomao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Utpal B Pajvani
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Draijer LG, van Oosterhout JPM, Vali Y, Zwetsloot S, van der Lee JH, van Etten‐Jamaludin FS, Chegary M, Benninga MA, Koot BGP. Diagnostic accuracy of fibrosis tests in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review. Liver Int 2021; 41:2087-2100. [PMID: 33894100 PMCID: PMC8453517 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in children. Even at young age, it can progress to liver fibrosis. Given the drawbacks of liver biopsy, there is a need for non-invasive methods to accurately stage liver fibrosis in this age group. In this systematic review, we evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive methods for staging liver fibrosis in children with NAFLD. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library, for studies that evaluated the performance of a blood-based biomarker, prediction score or imaging technique in staging liver fibrosis in children with NAFLD, using liver biopsy as the reference standard. RESULTS Twenty studies with a total of 1787 NAFLD subjects were included, which evaluated three prediction scores, five simple biomarkers, two combined biomarkers and six imaging techniques. Most studies lacked validation. Substantial heterogeneity of studies and limited available study data precluded a meta-analysis of the few fibrosis tests evaluated in more than one study. The most consistent accuracy data were found for transient elastography by FibroScan®, ELF test and ultrasound elastography, with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve varying between 0.92 and 1.00 for detecting significant fibrosis. CONCLUSION Due to the lack of validation, the accuracy and clinical utility of non-invasive fibrosis tests in children with NAFLD remains uncertain. As studies have solely been performed in tertiary care settings, accuracy data cannot directly be translated to screening populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura G. Draijer
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionAmsterdam University Medical CentersAcademic Medical CenterEmma Children's HospitalUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research InstituteAmsterdam University Medical CentersAcademic Medical CenterEmma Children's HospitalAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Amsterdam UMCUniversity of AmsterdamGastroenterology and HepatologyAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism Research InstituteAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Janneke P. M. van Oosterhout
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionAmsterdam University Medical CentersAcademic Medical CenterEmma Children's HospitalUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Yasaman Vali
- Department of Epidemiology and Data ScienceAmsterdam University Medical CentersAcademic Medical CenterUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Zwetsloot
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionAmsterdam University Medical CentersAcademic Medical CenterEmma Children's HospitalUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Johanna H. van der Lee
- Paediatric Clinical Research OfficeAmsterdam University Medical CentersAcademic Medical Center/Emma Children's HospitalUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Knowledge Institute of the Dutch Federation of Medical SpecialistsUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Malika Chegary
- Department of PaediatricsOnze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis HospitalAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Marc A. Benninga
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionAmsterdam University Medical CentersAcademic Medical CenterEmma Children's HospitalUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Bart G. P. Koot
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and NutritionAmsterdam University Medical CentersAcademic Medical CenterEmma Children's HospitalUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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8
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Friesen CS, Chan SS, Wagner JB, Hosey-Cojocari C, Csanaky IL, Shakhnovich V. Critical need for pharmacologic treatment options in NAFLD: A pediatric perspective. Clin Transl Sci 2021; 14:781-783. [PMID: 33476465 PMCID: PMC8212707 DOI: 10.1111/cts.12952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects up to 70% of children with obesity and has become the number one etiology for liver transplant in the United States. Early, effective intervention is critical to prevent disease progression into adulthood. Yet, it is seldom achieved through lifestyle modification alone. Thus, children must be included in NAFLD pharmacology trials, which, to date, continue to focus primarily on adult populations. This commentary serves as a call to action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chance S Friesen
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Sherwin S Chan
- Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Jonathan B Wagner
- Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Iván L Csanaky
- Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Valentina Shakhnovich
- Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.,Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
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9
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Friesen CS, Hosey-Cojocari C, Chan SS, Csanaky IL, Wagner JB, Sweeney BR, Friesen A, Fraser JD, Shakhnovich V. Efficacy of Weight Reduction on Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Opportunities to Improve Treatment Outcomes Through Pharmacotherapy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:663351. [PMID: 33927697 PMCID: PMC8076784 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.663351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is the single greatest risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Without intervention, most pediatric patients with NAFLD continue to gain excessive weight, making early, effective weight loss intervention key for disease treatment and prevention of NAFLD progression. Unfortunately, outside of a closely monitored research setting, which is not representative of the real world, lifestyle modification success for weight loss in children is low. Bariatric surgery, though effective, is invasive and can worsen NAFLD postoperatively. Thus, there is an evolving and underutilized role for pharmacotherapy in children, both for weight reduction and NAFLD management. In this perspective article, we provide an overview of the efficacy of weight reduction on pediatric NAFLD treatment, discuss the pros and cons of currently approved pharmacotherapy options, as well as drugs commonly used off-label for weight reduction in children and adolescents. We also highlight gaps in, and opportunities for, streamlining obesity trials to include NAFLD assessment as a valuable, secondary, therapeutic outcome measure, which may aid drug repurposing. Finally, we describe the already available, and emerging, minimally-invasive biomarkers of NAFLD that could offer a safe and convenient alternative to liver biopsy in pediatric obesity and NAFLD trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chance S. Friesen
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | | | - Sherwin S. Chan
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Iván L. Csanaky
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Jonathan B. Wagner
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Brooke R. Sweeney
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
- Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Alec Friesen
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Jason D. Fraser
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Valentina Shakhnovich
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
- Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Kansas City, MO, United States
- *Correspondence: Valentina Shakhnovich,
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10
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Al-Baiaty FDR, Ismail A, Abdul Latiff Z, Muhammad Nawawi KN, Raja Ali RA, Mokhtar NM. Possible Hepatoprotective Effect of Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Vitamin E in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children and Adolescents. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:667247. [PMID: 34307250 PMCID: PMC8295474 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.667247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity has become a worldwide health concern among the pediatric population. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is growing rapidly, alongside the high prevalence of obesity. NAFLD refers to a multifactorial disorder that includes simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with or devoid of fibrosis. NAFLD is regarded as a systemic disorder that influences glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism with hepatic manifestations. A sedentary lifestyle and poor choice of food remain the major contributors to the disease. Prompt and timely diagnosis of NAFLD among overweight children is crucial to prevent the progression of the condition. Yet, there has been no approved pharmacological treatment for NAFLD in adults or children. As indicated by clinical evidence, lifestyle modification plays a vital role as a primary form of therapy for managing and treating NAFLD. Emphasis is on the significance of caloric restriction, particularly macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) in altering the disease consequences. A growing number of studies are now focusing on establishing a link between vitamins and NAFLD. Different types of vitamin supplements have been shown to be effective in treating NAFLD. In this review, we elaborate on the potential role of vitamin E with a high content of tocotrienol as a therapeutic alternative in treating NAFLD in obese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah D R Al-Baiaty
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Aziana Ismail
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zarina Abdul Latiff
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Khairul Najmi Muhammad Nawawi
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,GUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Raja Affendi Raja Ali
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,GUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Norfilza Mohd Mokhtar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,GUT Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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