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World J Hepatol. Jun 27, 2011; 3(6): 142-146
Published online Jun 27, 2011. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v3.i6.142
Published online Jun 27, 2011. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v3.i6.142
A key problem and challenge for hepatology: Obesity-related metabolic liver diseases
Yasemin Hatice Balaban, Hacettepe University, Medical Faculty Internal Medicine Department, Gastroenterology Unit, Ankara 06100, Turkey
Author contributions: Balaban YH contributed solely to this work.
Correspondence to: Yasemin Hatice Balaban, MD, Associate Professor, Hacettepe University, Medical Faculty Internal Medicine Department, Gastroenterology Unit, Ankara 06100, Turkey. ybalaban@hacettepe.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-533-234-4232 Fax: +90-312-442-2161
Received: December 24, 2010
Revised: May 9, 2011
Accepted: May 16, 2011
Published online: June 27, 2011
Revised: May 9, 2011
Accepted: May 16, 2011
Published online: June 27, 2011
Abstract
With the arrival of the new millennium, gastroenterologists have been faced with the problem of metabolic liver diseases associated with obesity. The active role of the liver in metabolism and inflammation make it a key organ in the war against the rapidly-spreading world-wide epidemic of obesity. Many lives and much money could be saved if the work of hepatologists led to the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against this growing leader of cirrhosis.
Keywords: Metabolic liver diseases, Steatohepatitis, Obesity, Insuline resistance, Lipotoxicity, Adiposopaty.