1.
Noninvasive Tests Do Not Accurately Differentiate Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis From Simple Steatosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Verhaegh, P, Bavalia, R, Winkens, B, Masclee, A, Jonkers, D, Koek, G
Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association. 2018;(6):837-861
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a rapidly increasing health problem. Liver biopsy analysis is the most sensitive test to differentiate between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and simple steatosis (SS), but noninvasive methods are needed. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of noninvasive tests for differentiating NASH from SS, focusing on blood markers. METHODS We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Medline and Embase (1990-2016) databases using defined keywords, limited to full-text papers in English and human adults, and identified 2608 articles. Two independent reviewers screened the articles and identified 122 eligible articles that used liver biopsy as reference standard. If at least 2 studies were available, pooled sensitivity (sensp) and specificity (specp) values were determined using the Meta-Analysis Package for R (metafor). RESULTS In the 122 studies analyzed, 219 different blood markers (107 single markers and 112 scoring systems) were identified to differentiate NASH from simple steatosis, and 22 other diagnostic tests were studied. Markers identified related to several pathophysiological mechanisms. The markers analyzed in the largest proportions of studies were alanine aminotransferase (sensp, 63.5% and specp, 74.4%) within routine biochemical tests, adiponectin (sensp, 72.0% and specp, 75.7%) within inflammatory markers, CK18-M30 (sensp, 68.4% and specp, 74.2%) within markers of cell death or proliferation and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (sensp, 69.0% and specp, 72.7%) within the metabolic markers. Two scoring systems could also be pooled: the NASH test (differentiated NASH from borderline NASH plus simple steatosis with 22.9% sensp and 95.3% specp) and the GlycoNASH test (67.1% sensp and 63.8% specp). CONCLUSION In the meta-analysis, we found no test to differentiate NASH from SS with a high level of pooled sensitivity and specificity (≥80%). However, some blood markers, when included in scoring systems in single studies, identified patients with NASH with ≥80% sensitivity and specificity. Replication studies and more standardized study designs are urgently needed. At present, no marker or scoring system can be recommended for use in clinical practice to differentiate NASH from simple steatosis.
2.
Effects of Canagliflozin on Fatty Liver Indexes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Li, B, Wang, Y, Ye, Z, Yang, H, Cui, X, Wang, Z, Liu, L
Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences : a publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Societe canadienne des sciences pharmaceutiques. 2018;(1):222-235
Abstract
PURPOSE Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about 75% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the effect of canagliflozin on fatty liver indexes in T2DM patients. METHODS A literature search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane was conducted up to March 30, 2017. The liver function test and lipid profile were extracted from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of canagliflozin on fatty liver. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) or relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed by using either fixed or random-effects models. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were evaluated. RESULTS Our results showed that canagliflozin decreased serum concentrations of alanine amino transferase (WMD: -11.68 [95% CI: -18.95, -10.95]; P<0.001), aspartate amino transferase (WMD: -7.50 [95% CI: -10.61, -4.38]; P<0.001), gamma-glutamyl transferase (WMD: -15.17 [95% CI: -17.73, -12.61]; P<0.001), triglycerides (WMD: -0.10 [95% CI: -0.15, -0.05]; P<0.001) but increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 0.1 [95% CI: 0.06, 0.13]; P<0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 0.06 [95% CI: 0.05, 0.07]; P<0.001) at week 26 or 52. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that canagliflozin may have a protective effect on fatty liver in T2DM patients. The limitation was that the liver biopsy was hard to obtain in published studies. More RCTs specified on NAFLD are needed to get further information. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.