The primary goal of this study is to provide a better understanding of: 1) the pathogenesis
and pathophysiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese subjects, and 2)
the effect of marked weight loss on the histologic and metabolic abnormalities associated
with NAFLD. The following hypotheses will be tested:
1. obesity causes hepatic fat accumulation because of excessive fatty acid release from fat
tissue and increased free fatty acid availability,
2. increased hepatic (liver) fat content causes insulin-resistant glucose (sugar)
production by the liver and altered liver protein synthesis,
3. increased hepatic fat content causes increased lipid (fat) peroxidation, hepatic
inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis, and
4. marked weight loss improves NAFLD once patients are weight stable.
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Washington University School of Medicine
Collaborator:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)