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Semin Liver Dis 2015; 35(03): 338-348
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1562951
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Pharmacotherapy for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Samer Gawrieh
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
,
Naga Chalasani
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 September 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Lifestyle modifications and optimization of the management of cardiometabolic comorbidities are currently the mainstay of treatment for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Pharmacotherapy to halt or reverse hepatic histological injury and prevent the development of end-stage liver disease is specifically offered to patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and those with advanced fibrosis. In this review, the authors discuss the state of the art of various pharmacological agents for NASH. The efficacy of vitamin E and pioglitazone is reasonably well established in a selected group of patients with NASH. Current data do not offer convincing evidence for efficacy of pentoxifylline, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, angiotensin receptor blockers, metformin, or ursodeoxycholic acid. They also discuss the state of several emerging agents for treating NASH including the farsenoid X receptor ligand, obeticholic acid.

Keywords

nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - nonalcoholic steatohepatitis - vitamin E - thiazolidinedione - obeticholic acid
 

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