Current Treatment Options, Including Diet, Exercise, and Medications: The Impact on Histology

Abstract

Paralleling the rise in obesity and diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of NAFLD, may progress to cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its public health treat, no approved pharmacotherapies for NAFLD/NASH currently exist. Although the armamentarium of therapies for NASH is limited, current treatment options include life-style modification and the use of medications to treat metabolic comorbidities. This review addresses current approaches to the treatment of NAFLD/NASH, including the impact of diet, exercise, and available pharmacotherapies on the histologic features of liver injury.

Keywords: Fibrosis; Life-style modification; Metabolic syndrome; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.