According to a story from Healio, Rohit Kohli, MBBS, MS, division chief of gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, spoke at the World Congress on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease. As part of his presentation, he noted that treatments target the bile acid pathways could be a future approach to treating pediatric (childhood) cases of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Weight loss after bariatric surgery is associated with increased levels of serum bile acid, leading to improvements in NASH symptoms. Kohli made reference to previous studies using mouse models which appeared to suggest the importance of bile acid signaling. Generally, lifestyle changes are the centerpiece of treatment of NASH in children. However, other treatments, such as medications or bariatric surgery, may be necessary in certain cases.
He also noted that FXR, the farnesoid X receptor, which is found in the liver, could be a potential therapeutic target for future NASH treatments. Kohli concluded his talk by noting that while targeting bile acid signaling might be important, it’s likely that this will be part of a combination approach, and that targeting a single pathway might not be enough.
About Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a type of liver disease in which fat is deposited in the liver independent of excessive alcohol consumption. This disease can progress rapidly. Risk factors include metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. There also appears to be some genetic component to the disease as well. This condition also increases the risk of other health problems and liver cancer. Men also seem to be at greater risk, getting the disease as almost twice the rate that women do. Symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis include jaundice, malaise, fatigue, and abdominal pain or discomfort. Without treatment, the liver can become scarred, and the patient may need a liver transplant. However, the condition can also be managed with proper diet, the use of certain medications, and exercise. To learn more about nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, click here.
