Therapeutic options in pediatric non alcoholic fatty liver disease: current status and future directions

Ital J Pediatr. 2012 Oct 17:38:55. doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-38-55.

Abstract

The epidemics of overweight and obesity has resulted in a significant increase of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a potentially progressive condition. Currently, obesity related hepatopathy represents therefore the main cause of pediatric chronic liver disease. The first choice treatment at all ages is weight loss and/or lifestyle changes, however compliance is very poor and a pharmacological approach has become necessary. In the present article we present a systematic literature review focusing on established pediatric NALFD drugs (ursodeoxycholic acid, insulin sensitizers, and antioxidants) and on innovative therapeutic options as well.Regarding the former ones, a pediatric pilot study highlighted that ursodeoxycholic acid is not efficient on transaminases levels and bright liver. Similarly, a recent large scale, multicenter randomized clinical trial (TONIC study) showed that also insulin sensitizers and antioxidant vitamin E have scarce effects on serum transaminase levels. Among a large series of novel therapeutic approaches acting on recently proposed different pathomechanisms, probiotics seem hitherto the most interesting and reasonable option for their safety and tolerability. Toll-like receptors modifiers, Pentoxifylline, and Farnesoid X receptors agonists have been still poorly investigated, and will need further studies before becoming possible promising innovative therapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Child
  • Cholagogues and Choleretics / therapeutic use
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy*
  • Fatty Liver / epidemiology
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Life Style
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Overweight / complications
  • Overweight / epidemiology
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cholagogues and Choleretics
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Prebiotics
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid