Nocturnal hypoxia in obese-related obstructive sleep apnea as a putative trigger of oxidative stress in pediatric NAFLD progression

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is now considered as the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome. Its prevalence, paralleling the growing diffusion of obesity and type II diabetes, is increasing worldwide both in adults and children. NAFLD is estimated to affect up to 30% of the general population in Western countries, reaching an even higher prevalence among diabetic and obese individuals [1,2]. From 20 to 30% of NAFLD patients are expected to develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by steatosis, parenchymal damage, lobular/portal inflammation with or without perisinusoidal and/or portal fibrosis.
Source: Journal of Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research