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Mertens J, De Block C, Spinhoven M, Driessen A, Francque SM, Kwanten WJ. Hepatopathy Associated With Type 1 Diabetes: Distinguishing Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease From Glycogenic Hepatopathy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:768576. [PMID: 34759828 PMCID: PMC8573337 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.768576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells results in the permanent loss of insulin production in type 1 diabetes (T1D). The daily necessity to inject exogenous insulin to treat hyperglycemia leads to a relative portal vein insulin deficiency and potentiates hypoglycemia which can induce weight gain, while daily fluctuations of blood sugar levels affect the hepatic glycogen storage and overall metabolic control. These, among others, fundamental characteristics of T1D are associated with the development of two distinct, but in part clinically similar hepatopathies, namely non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and glycogen hepatopathy (GlyH). Recent studies suggest that NAFLD may be increasingly common in T1D because more people with T1D present with overweight and/or obesity, linked to the metabolic syndrome. GlyH is a rare but underdiagnosed complication hallmarked by extremely brittle metabolic control in, often young, individuals with T1D. Both hepatopathies share clinical similarities, troubling both diagnosis and differentiation. Since NAFLD is increasingly associated with cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease, whereas GlyH is considered self-limiting, awareness and differentiation between both condition is important in clinical care. The exact pathogenesis of both hepatopathies remains obscure, hence licensed pharmaceutical therapy is lacking and general awareness amongst physicians is low. This article aims to review the factors potentially contributing to fatty liver disease or glycogen storage disruption in T1D. It ends with a proposal for clinicians to approach patients with T1D and potential hepatopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Mertens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Christophe De Block
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Maarten Spinhoven
- Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Ann Driessen
- Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,CORE, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Sven M Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Wilhelmus J Kwanten
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Azariadis K, Gatselis NK, Koukoulis GK, Dalekos GN. Glycogenic hepatopathy as a cause of severe deranged liver enzymes in a young patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus. BMJ Case Rep 2019; 12:12/3/e228524. [PMID: 30898943 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycogenic hepatopathy (GH) is a rare complication of poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We present a 19-year-old woman with T1DM and autoimmune thyroiditis who admitted to our department because of abrupt onset intermittent abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant accompanied by laboratory evidence of acute anicteric hepatitis. Physical examination revealed significant hepatomegaly but the common imagining studies were negative. Following exclusion of common causes of acute hepatitis and because of the presence of smooth muscle antibodies in a young female patient with already established two autoimmune diseases, a liver biopsy was performed in order to exclude the potential presence of autoimmune hepatitis. However, liver histology showed typical findings of GH. Intense treatment targeting strict glycemic control resulted in normalisation of liver biochemistry. This case underlines that GH should be considered as a rare cause of acute hepatitis in T1DM patients with poor glycemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Azariadis
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nikolaos K Gatselis
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.,Institute of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Larissa, Greece
| | - George K Koukoulis
- Department of Pathology, University of Thessaly, Medical School, Larissa, Thessaly, Greece
| | - Georgios N Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece.,Institute of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Larissa, Greece
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