Pediatric non alcoholic fatty liver disease: more on novel treatment targets

BMC Pediatr. 2013 Jul 19:13:109. doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-13-109.

Abstract

The mainstay treatment of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on weight loss and/or lifestyle changes is most often unsuccessful at all ages, thus requiring the implementation of pharmacological strategies. Targeting insulin resistance and oxidative stress has recently proven unsatisfactory. Among a number of proposed innovative approaches targeting novel pathomechanisms, probiotics appear an interesting and reasonable option acting on gut-liver axis malfunction through the modulation of diet-driven, obesogenic, and inflammatory intestinal microbiota.A combined multiple pharmacological therapy directed simultaneously towards novel and old pathomechanisms (including, e.g., insulin resistance, oxidative stress, gut-liver axis, apoptosis) along with lifestyle interventions however might be necessary both in adult and pediatric NAFLD therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Fatty Liver / microbiology
  • Fatty Liver / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*