A esteatose hepática é caracterizada histologicamente pelo acúmulo de triglicerídeos no citoplasma dos hepatócitos. A biópsia ainda é o padrão ouro para diagnóstico e avaliação da gravidade, no entanto, é um método invasivo e sujeita a erro de amostragem. Com os avanços dos métodos diagnósticos por imagem, a RM se tornou um método bem estabelecido para detecção e quantificação da esteatose. A maneira mais simples é a obtenção do cálculo da fração de gordura pela técnica gradiente-eco desvio químico. Todavia, não há estudos demonstrando a melhor forma de medir a intensidade de sinal para esse cálculo. Em nosso estudo, através da revisão de exames de RM, avaliamos três diferentes estratégias de medidas para quantificação com amostra de conveniência com 74 exames apresentando esteatose pareados em dois grupos, esteatose homogênea (n=37) e heterogênea (n=37). No grupo de esteatose heterogênea, o uso de ROI de 1cm² para medir a intensidade de sinal na área mais alterada apresentou variações significativas na quantificação, enquanto a média de quatro ROIs de 1cm² ou a segmentação de área representativa em corte axial não apresentaram variações significativas. Na esteatose hepática homogênea, qualquer estratégia utilizada não demonstrou diferença significativa. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse variou entre 0,96 e 0,99, com IC 95% de 0,93-0,99. Assim, a quantificação da gordura hepática por RM utilizando apenas um ROI é menos representativa, principalmente na esteatose heterogênea. Não houve diferença significativa entre a obtenção da média de 4 ROIs e a segmentação de área representativa do parênquima. / Hepatic steatosis is characterized histologically by the triglyceride accumulation in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. A biopsy is still considered the gold standard for diagnosis and assessment of severity, however, is an invasive and subject to sampling error method. With the improvement of diagnostic imaging methods, MRI has become a well-established method for the detection and quantification of liver fat. The easiest way is to obtain the calculation of the fat fraction by GRE technique with chemical shift technique. However, there are no studies demonstrating the best way to measure the signal intensity for this calculation. In our study by MRI review, we evaluate three different strategies for measuring the signal intensity with a convenience sample of 74 exams showing steatosis paired into two groups, diffuse steatosis (n = 37) and heterogeneous (n = 37). In heterogeneous steatosis group, the strategy with a ROI of 1 cm² to measure the signal intensity in the most altered area showed significant variations in the quantification, while the average of four ROIs of 1cm² or representative target area in axial section did not vary significant. In diffuse hepatic steatosis, any strategy used showed no significant difference. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged between 0.96 and 0.99, with 95% of 0.93-0.99. Thus, the quantification of fat liver by MRI using only ROI is less representative, especially in heterogeneous steatosis. There was no significant difference between the average of 4 ROIs strategy and the strategy of representative segmentation area of parenchyma.

Orientador: Gabriel Forato Anhê / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T11:57:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_CarolinaSolonda_M.pdf: 587503 bytes, checksum: cd74a1063d709369d29c9a998e1cc9a4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A prevalência de esteato hepatite não alcólica (NASH) aumenta de 20% em indivíduos magros para 80% em pacientes obesos com inflamação hepática caracterizada por elevados níveis de TNF-alfa. Um dos eventos que caracteriza a evolução para NASH é a marcante morte de hepatóciotos resultante da ação do excesso de ácidos graxos livres circulantes. O mecanismo pelo qual o palmitato induz a apoptose é dependente, entre outros parâmetros, do aumento dos níveis de espécies reativas de oxigenio (EROS). O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar se a apoptose de hepatócitos induzida pelo palmitato é dependente do aumento da produção de TNF-alfa. Para testar tal hipótese, utilizamos o Infliximabe, um anticorpo monoclonal específico anti-TNF-alfa, como ferramenta farmacológica para reverter as injúrias provocadas pelo palmitato. Foi observado que após 6 horas de tratamento com o palmitato houve um aumento de expressão de mRNA de TNF-alfa levando a um aumento de apoptose 24 horas após à exposição com o ácido graxo. Este fenômeno concordou temporalmente com um aumento na fosforilação das proteínas IkK, IKbeta e JNK, indicativo de ativação da via de sinalização do TNF-alfa. A apoptose induzida pelo palmitato foi revertida pela adição de um inibidor geral de síntese proteica (Ciclohexamida) ou de um anticorpo neutralizante para o TNF-alfa circulante. Além disso, a produção de EROs e a disfunção mitocondrial induzidas pelo palmitato também foram revertidos por estas estratégias farmacológicas. Com base em tais resultados, concluímos que a apoptose, o acúmulo de EROs e da disfunção mitocondrial induzidas pelo palmitato em células HepG2 são dependentes da produção de TNF-alfa / Abstract: In the last three decades, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been continuously increasing. Obesity is a risk factor for developing a series of diseases such as whole-body insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Adipose tissue, originally considered merely energy storage, today is recognized as an endocrine organ able of secreting a variety of cytokines, hormones and other substances with specific biological activities, such as saturated fatty acids. Both long chain saturated fatty acids, like palmitate, and the proinflammatory cytokines, as TNF-alfa, are known to activate signaling pathways that promote apoptosis. The mechanism by which the palmitate induces apoptosis is dependent on cell type, for example, human hepatocellular carcinoma line (HepG2) treated with palmitate led lipotoxicity and to increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether apoptosis in HepG2 cells is dependent on increased production of TNF-alfa induced by treatment with palmitate. To test this hypothesis, we used the Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody anti-TNF-alfa, as a pharmacological tool to reverse injuries caused by palmitate. We observed that palmitate increased the mRNA for TNF-alfa and phosphorylation of IkK, Ikbeta and JNK, all indicative of activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. Apoptosis induced by palmitate was suppressed by simultaneous treatment with cycloheximide or infliximab. Furthermore, the production of ROS and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by palmitate were also suppressed by these two pharmacological strategies. Based on these results, we conclude that apoptosis and related events such as increased ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by palmitate in HepG2 cells are dependent on autocrine action of TNF--alfa / Mestrado / Farmacologia / Mestra em Farmacologia

La stéatose hépatique non alcoolique, regroupant la stéatose isolée (NAFLD) et la stéatohépatite non-alcoolique (NASH), est un enjeu de santé publique mondial en raison d’une incidence croissante, en grande partie expliquée par l’augmentation de la prévalence du diabète et de l’obésité. La stéatose hépatique prédit la survenue des complications métaboliques associées à l’insulinorésistance, comme le diabète ou les événements cardiovasculaires. La connaissance de l’histoire naturelle de la NAFLD comporte encore de nombreuses incertitudes. Actuellement le modèle explicatif repose sur une dichotomie entre la stéatohépatite (NASH), qui peut progresser vers la cirrhose et la stéatose isolée ou avec inflammation minime (NAFL) qui jusqu'à présent était considérée comme une condition non évolutive ne progressant pas vers la cirrhose et n'augmentant pas la morbi-mortalité d'origine hépatique. Cette dichotomie conditionne en grande partie la prise en charge de ces patients, ceux avec NAFL étant souvent rassurés par le praticien quant à leur devenir et ne bénéficiant pas d'une surveillance hépatique spécifique. La ponction biopsie du foie est considérée comme un examen de référence, mais son usage en pratique clinique reste limité en raison d’effets indésirables, d’erreurs d'échantillonnage et de la variabilité d’interprétation inter-observateur. Les méthodes non invasives de lésions hépatiques sont devenues une vraie alternative à la biopsie du foie pour la prise en charge des patients ayant une maladie chronique du foie, au cours des dix dernières années. / Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) covers a spectrum ranging from isolated steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and is becoming one of the most frequent causes of chronic liver disease, mainly because of its close association with the worldwide epidemic of diabetes and obesity. Liver steatosis can predict the occurrence of metabolic complications associated with insulin resistance, such as diabetes and cardiovascular events. Our understanding of the natural history of NAFLD is still incomplete. Currently, the explicative model is based on a dichotomy between steatohepatitis, considered the progressive form of the disease, which can lead to cirrhosis and isolated steatosis with or without minimal inflammation, which is considered a non-progressive condition that does not impact overall survival or result in liver-related mortality and morbidity. This dichotomy largely determines the management of NAFLD patients: patients without steatohepatitis usually do not undergo specific monitoring for liver disease progression. Liver biopsy is considered the reference diagnostic method but its implementation in clinical practice remains limited due to procedure complexity, invasiveness, cost, potential complications, sampling error and inter-observer variability. Non-invasive methods of hepatic injury have become a real alternative to liver biopsy for the diagnosis of patients with chronic liver disease in the past decade. The aims of this thesis were: 1) to better understand the histological course of the disease, to better identify patients at risk of histological progression based on initial histological findings and to establish a correlation between histological changes and the course of metabolic co-morbidities often associated with NAFLD : 2) to establish factors associated with short-term variability of repeated measurements of elastometry in patients with chronic liver diseases in order to understand how this non invasive procedure can be used for patient monitoring 3) to determine the diagnostic value and limitations of several steatosis biomarkers using liver biopsy as a reference standard in a large cohort of patients with suspected NAFLD. Our study shows that a fraction of patients with isolated steatosis can unambiguously evolve towards well-defined steatohepatitis, and in some of them, bridging fibrosis. The presence of mild lobular inflammation or any amount of fibrosis substantially increases the risk of histological progression in the mid-term while those with steatosis alone are at lowest risk. Patients with disease progression experienced a deterioration of cardio-metabolic risk factors. Our data if validated by independent studies, allow for better stratification of patients at risk of disease progression. The results of this study favor a change in the practices of monitoring and risk assessment of patients with steatosis but without steatohepatitis.

C1q TNF Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) is a member of a family of secreted proteins that exert a multitude of biological effects. Our initial work identified CTRP3’s promise as an effective treatment for Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Specifically, we demonstrated that mice fed a high fat diet failed to develop NAFLD when treated with CTRP3. The purpose of this current project is to identify putative receptors which mediate the hepatic actions of CTRP3. Methods We used Ligand-receptor glycocapture technology with TriCEPS™-based ligand-receptor capture (LRC-TriCEPS; Dualsystems Biotech AG). The LRC-TriCEPS experiment with CTRP3-FLAG protein as ligand and insulin as a control ligand was performed on the H4IIE rat hepatoma cell line. Results Initial analysis demonstrated efficient coupling of TriCEPS to CTRP3. Further, flow cytometry analysis (FACS) demonstrated successful oxidation and crosslinking of CTRP3-TriCEPS and Insulin-TriCEPS complexes to cell surface glycans. Demonstrating the utility of TriCEPS under these conditions, the insulin receptor was identified in the control dataset. In the CTRP3 treated cells a total enrichment of 261 peptides was observed. From these experiments 5 putative receptors for CTRP3 were identified with two reaching statistically significance: Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) and Lysosome membrane protein 2 (LIMP II). Follow-up Co-immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed the association between LAMP1 and CTRP3 and further testing using a polyclonal antibody to block potential binding sites of LAMP1 prevented CTRP3 binding to the cells Conclusion The LRC-TriCEPS methodology was successful in identifying potential novel receptors for CTRP3. Relevance The identification of the receptors for CTRP3 are important prerequisites for the development of small molecule drug candidates, of which none currently exist, for the treatment NAFLD.

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and associated complications. This study evaluated the performance of international (EASL-EASD-EASO) and national (DGVS) guidelines for NAFLD risk stratification. Patients with T2D prospectively underwent ultrasound, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and serum-based fibrosis markers. Guideline-based risk classification and referral rates for different screening approaches were compared and the diagnostic properties of simplified algorithms, genetic markers and a new NASH surrogate (FAST score) were evaluated. NAFLD risk was present in 184 of 204 screened patients (age 64.2 ± 10.7 years; BMI 32.6 ± 7.6 kg/m2). EASL-EASD-EASO recommended specialist referral for 60–77% depending on the fibrosis score used, only 6% were classified as low risk. The DGVS algorithm required LSM for 76%; 25% were referred for specialised care. The sensitivities of the diagnostic pathways were 47–96%. A simplified referral strategy revealed a sensitivity/specificity of 46/88% for fibrosis risk. Application of the FAST score reduced the referral rate to 35%. This study (a) underlines the high prevalence of fibrosis risk in T2D, (b) demonstrates very high referral rates for in-depth hepatological work-up, and (c) indicates that simpler referral algorithms may produce comparably good results and could facilitate NAFLD screening.

No description available.

Thesis (MScMedSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease in Western countries and is considered the hepatic manifestation of the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Its heterogeneous nature ranges from hepatic steatosis through steatohepatitis to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis where the ingestion of significant amounts of alcohol has been excluded. The disease profile of NAFLD and its necro-inflammatory subset Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) were described in the parent study, which provided a clinically well-characterised patient cohort for the present investigation. South African patients with NASH had significantly higher mean serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels than those with fatty liver only. The objective of this study was to implement a high-throughput real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in our laboratory to enable the assessment of cardiovascular genetic risk factors in NAFLD patients. The specific aims were to determine the clinical utility and perform analytical validation of each mutation included in the multi-gene cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening assay. The Pathology Supported Genetic Testing (PSGT) concept developed at our department provides a practical approach to personalized medicine. The CVD multi-gene screen analyses key metabolic pathways relating to atherogenic dyslipidaemia, chronic inflammation, hypercoagulation and iron dysregulation implicated in insulin resistance, which is known to be a universal factor in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Deleterious low-penetrance mutations in the APOE (APOE2 and E4 alleles), MTHFR (677C>T and 1298A>C), F2 (20210G>A), FV (1691G>A, Leiden) and HFE (C282Y and H63D) genes were included for analysis due to their important role as genetic contributors to these biological processes. A total of 178 patients diagnosed with NAFLD and 75 controls were studied using direct DNA sequencing and a RT-PCR system for mutation detection. In addition, two patients with high ferritin levels were included as case studies. A significant association was found between HFE mutations and elevated Alanine Transaminase (ALT) levels in the NAFLD population (p = 0.04). This discovery is interpreted as the identification of a subset of patients at greater risk of developing progressive liver damage who would benefit most from genetic testing to direct more aggressive therapy at an earlier stage. The necessity of an integrative, systems-based network approach was demonstrated to more accurately distinguish between Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) and Insulin Resistance-associated Hepatic Iron Overload (IR-HIO) syndrome in obese patients. The PSGT approach to personalized medicine facilitates diagnosis of CVD subtypes, prevention of cumulative risk and the formulation of gene-based intervention programs tailored to the needs of the patient. These findings support the clinical utility of the CVD multi-gene test to guide chronic disease risk management in patients with NAFLD. The HFE mutation detection component of this test is of particular relevance in directing an effective treatment strategy in patients with a medical history of CVD and/or high iron stores. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nie-Alkoholiese Vettige Lewer Siekte (NAFLD) is die mees algemene kroniese lewer siekte in Westerse lande en word bestempel as die hepatiese manifestasie van die Metaboliese Sindroom (MetS). Die heterogene natuur van NAFLD strek van hepatiese steatose deur steatohepatietis tot gevorderde fibrose en sirrose waar grootskaalse alkohol inname uitgesluit is. Die siekte-profiel van NAFLD en sy nekro-inflammatoriese subtipe Nie-Alkoholiese Steatohepatietis (NASH) is reeds beskryf in die ouer studie, wat ‗n klinies goed-gekarakteriseerde pasiënt groep vir die huidige ondersoek daar gestel het. Suid-Afrikaanse pasiënte met NASH het beduidend hoër gemiddelde serum cholesterol en trigliseried vlakke in vergelyking met slegs vettige lewer. Die doel van hierdie studie was om ‗n hoë deurvoer rieëltyd polimerase kettingreaksie (RT-PCR) metode in ons laboratorium te implimenteer om kardiovaskulêre genetiese risiko faktore in NAFLD pasiënte te ondersoek. Die spesifieke mikpunte was om die kliniese nut en analitiese geldigheid van elke mutasie wat ingesluit is in die multi-geen kardiovaskulêre siekte (KVS) siftings toets vas te stel. Die Patologie Ondersteunde Genetiese Toetsing (PSGT) konsep wat by ons departement ontwikkel is, verskaf ‗n praktiese benadering tot persoonlike medisyne. Die KVS multi-geen toets analiseer belangrike metaboliese weë verwant aan atherogene dyslipidemie, kroniese inflammasie, oormatige bloedstolling en yster disregulering wat betrokke is by insulien weerstand wat bekend is as ‗n universele factor in the patogenese van NAFLD. Nadelige lae-penetrasie mutasies in die APOE (APOE2 en E4 allele), MTHFR (677C>T en 1298A>C) F2 (20210G>A), FV (1691G>A, Leiden) en HFE (C282Y en H63D) gene was ingesluit vir analise as gevolg van hul belangrike rol as genetiese bydraers tot die bogenoemde biologiese prosesse. ‗n Totaal van 178 pasiënte gediagnoseer met NAFLD en 75 kontroles is bestudeer deur gebruik te maak van direkte DNA volgordebepaling en ‗n RT-PCR metode vir mutasie opsporing. Twee pasiënte met verhoogde ferritien vlakke is ook as gevalle studies ingesluit. ‗n Beduidende assosiasie is gevind tussen HFE mutasies en verhoogde Alanien Transaminase (ALT) vlakke in die NAFLD studiepopulasie (p = 0.04) wat aanduidend is van ‗n subgroup van pasiënte wat die meeste baat sal vind uit genetiese toetsing om meer aggressiewe behandeling te rig op' n vroeër stadium. Die noodsaaklikheid van 'n geïntegreerde, stelsels-gebaseerde netwerk benadering is gewys om meer akkuraat te onderskei tussen Oorerflike Hemochromatose (HH) en Insulien Weerstand-geassosieerde Hepatiese Yster Oorlading (IR-HIO) sindroom in vetsugtige pasiënte. Die PSGT benadering tot persoonlike medisyne formuleer geen-gebaseerde intervensie programme aangepas tot die behoeftes van die pasiënt ek maak diagnose van KVS-subtipes en voorkoming van kumulatiewe risiko moontlik. Hierdie bevindinge ondersteun die kliniese nut van die KVS multi-geen toets om riglyne vir die risikobestuur van kroniese siektes soos NAFLD daar te stel. Die HFE mutasie opsporings komponent van hierdie toets is van besondere belang om 'n effektiewe strategie vir die behandeling van pasiënte met 'n mediese geskiedenis van KVS en/of hoë yster vlakke daar te stel.

A Doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA) é uma das formas mais comuns de doença hepática, acometendo cerca de 20 a 30% da população adulta, sendo mais frequente em indivíduos obesos (70 a 80%). Os principais fatores de risco associados à doença são os componentes da Síndrome metabólica. Até o momento, não há um tratamento farmacológico específico para a DHGNA e modificações no estilo de vida com redução de peso e exercício físico são sempre preconizados. Existem poucos dados sobre o impacto da atividade física e uma estratégia nutricional ideal no tratamento da DHGNA. Visto a necessidade de elucidar o impacto da atividade física e a busca por uma estratégia nutricional ideal no tratamento da DHGNA, propusemos um estudo randomizado controlado avaliando os efeitos de uma dieta hipocalórica e hiperproteica e do exercício físico aeróbio associado a esta dieta nos parâmetros metabólicos e antropométricos de mulheres sedentárias pós-menopausa. Foram incluídas 40 mulheres sedentárias pós-menopausa com DHGNA, que possuíam biópsia hepática em um período igual ou menor que 2 (dois) anos. Essas pacientes foram randomizadas em 2 grupos: grupo TREINO: treinamento aeróbio associado à dieta hipocalórica e hiperproteica e grupo DIETA: somente dieta hipocalórica e hiperproteica e, acompanhadas por um período de 6 meses. Na análise intra-grupo das variáveis antropométricas nos períodos pré e pós-intervenção dietética ou exercício físico aeróbio não foram observadas diferenças significativas em ambos os grupos. Na análise intra-grupo das variáveis bioquímicas, o HDL mostrou-se estatisticamente diferente (p= 0,004) no grupo TREINO. Na análise inter-grupos das variáveis bioquímicas observamos um aumento significativo para HDL-C (p= 0,036) no grupo TREINO. Na análise intra-grupo das variáveis ergoespirométricas observamos diferença significativa para as variáveis VO2máx Relativo (p= 0,04), Tempo LA (p= 0,001), Tempo PCR (p= 0,003) e Tempo Pico (p= 0,001) no grupo TREINO. Na análise inter-grupo das variáveis ergoespirométricas a análise das variáveis VO2máx Relativo (p= 0,042), Tempo LA (p= 0,011), Tempo PCR (p= 0,002) e Tempo Pico (p= 0,007) foram estatisticamente diferentes. Nossos dados mostram uma estreita relação entre a intervenção nutricional, exercício aeróbio e a melhora da DHGNA. Apesar do tempo proposto de exercício semanal ter sido relativamente pequeno, nossos dados mostram que tanto a dieta hipocalórica e hiperproteica quanto o tratamento com exercício aeróbio duas vezes por semana associado a esta dieta podem ser eficazes para o tratamento da DHGNA em mulheres sedentárias pós-menopausa. Salientamos a importância do exercício aeróbio associado à dieta hipocalórica e hiperproteica para o aumento do HDL-C sérico e melhora da aptidão cardiorrespiratória neste grupo de mulheres. Consideramos que ambos os tratamentos podem ser recomendados de acordo com a particularidade de cada indivíduo, respeitando suas dificuldades e limitações / The Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of liver diseases, affecting approximately 20-30% of the adult population and is more common in obese individuals (70-80%). The main risk factors associated with the disease are the components of the Metabolic syndrome. To date, there is no specific pharmacological treatment for NAFLD and changes in lifestyle with weight reduction and exercise are always recommended. Few datas exist on the impact of physical activity and optimal nutritional strategy for the treatment of NAFLD. Seen the need to elucidate the impact of physical activity and the search for an ideal nutritional strategy in the treatment of NAFLD, we proposed a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a hypocaloric high-protein diet and aerobic exercise associated with this diet on metabolic and anthropometric parameters in sedentary postmenopausal women. 40 sedentary postmenopausal women with NAFLD who had liver biopsy for a period equal to or less than 2 (two) years were included. These patients were randomized into 2 groups: TRAINING group: aerobic training with hypocaloric high-protein diet and DIET group: only hypocaloric high-protein diet, and followed for a period of six months. In intra-group anthropometric variables pre and post dietary intervention or aerobic exercise analysis, no significant differences were observed in both groups. In intra-group analysis of biochemical variables, HDL was statistically different (p= 0.004) on the TRAINING group. In inter-group analysis of biochemical variables observed a significant increase in HDL-C (p= 0.036) on TRAINING group. In the analysis of intra-group ergospirometric variables significant differences were observed for the variables Relative VO2max (p= 0.04), Time at VAT (p= 0.001), Time at RCP (p= 0.003) and Time at peak (p= 0.001) in TRAINING group. In the analysis of inter-group ergospirometric variables Relative VO2máx (p= 0.042), Time at VAT (p= 0.011), Time at RCP (p= 0.002) and Time at peak (p= 0.007) were significantly different. Our data shows a close relationship between nutrition intervention, aerobic exercise and improvement of NAFLD. Although the proposed weekly exercise time was relatively small, our data show that both a low-calorie diet and protein levels as treatment with aerobic exercise twice a week associated with this diet may be effective for treating NAFLD in postmenopausal women sedentary. Stress the importance of aerobic exercise associated with low-calorie and high-protein diet for the increase in serum HDL-C and improves cardiorespiratory fitness in this group. We believe that both treatments may be recommended according to the particularity of each individual, respecting their difficulties and limitations

Introdução: A obesidade é uma doença crônica que aumenta sua prevalência progressivamente no mundo todo. Uma das suas principais complicações é a doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA), que pode apresentar-se de forma assintomática, com esteatose hepática, esteato-hepatite, cirrose e hepatocarcinoma. Está associada à dislipidemia, hipertensão, diabetes, síndrome metabólica e resistência insulínica. O padrão ouro para seu diagnóstico é a biopsia hepática, considerado método invasivo. Medidas indiretas são usadas para auxiliar na sua detecção, como dados do exame físico, exames de bioquímica e de imagem. Objetivo: Diagnosticar DHGNA usando a ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) como método não invasivo, correlacionando-a com achados clínicos e laboratoriais. Metodologia: Estudo transversal de 50 crianças e adolescentes seguidas no Ambulatório de Obesidade do Hospital das Clínicas da FMRP-USP. Foram submetidas à questionário sobre histórico pessoal e familiar, à exame físico, exames laboratoriais (lipidograma, transaminases, glicemia e insulina basal) e RNM de abdome para cálculo da de gordura hepática, visceral e subcutânea. Resultados: Diagnosticado esteatose hepática em 14 (28%) dos participantes, sendo 8 com esteatose grave (porcentagem de gordura >18%) e 4 não grave (porcentagem gordura hepática entre 9 e 18%). Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre a gordura hepática detectada pela RNM e o gênero masculino, triglicérides, TGO, TGP, relação TGO/TGP e acantose nigricans. O cálculo do Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) e da síndrome metabólica não apresentaram relação positiva com a porcentagem de gordura hepática. Conclusão: A frequência de esteatose hepática, utilizando a RNM como ferramenta diagnóstica, foi inferior à encontrada na literatura. Dos parâmetros estudados, os melhores preditores de esteatose hepática foram triglicérides, TGO, TGP, relação TGO/TGP, gênero masculino, acantose nigricans e Z escore para IMC elevado / Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease whose prevalence progressively increasing worldwide. One of its main complications is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may occur in an asymptomatic form, as simple fatty liver, steatohepatites (NASH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This disease is associated with dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. The gold standard for diagnosis is a liver biopsy, considered to be an invasive method. Indirect measures are used to aid its diagnosis, such as physical, biochemical and imaging tests. Objective: Diagnosing NAFLD using MRI as non-invasive method and correlating it with clinical and laboratory findings. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 50 children and adolescents followed at the Obesity clinic of the University Hospital, FMRP-USP. A questionnaire about personal and family history was aplplied and each subject was submitted to physical examination, laboratory tests (lipip profile, transaminases, glycemia and basal insulin) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen for calculation of hepatic, visceral and subcutaneous fat. Results: Fatty liver disease was diagnosed in 14 (28%) of the participants, 8 of them with severe steatosis (fat percentage > 18%) and 4 with milder steatosis (fat percentage between 9 and 18%). There was a statistically significant difference between the hepatic fat detected by MRI and male gender, triglycerides, AST, ALT, AST/ALT ratio and acanthosis nigricans. The calculation of the Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and of the metabolic syndrome did not show a positive relationship with the percentage of hepatic fat. Conclusion: The frequency of hepatic steatosis using MRI as a diagnostic tool, was lower than the values reported in the literature. Among the parameters studied, the best predictors of liver steatosis were triglycerides, AST, ALT, AST/ALT ratio, male gender, acanthosis nigricans and Z score for high body mass index

OBJETIVO: Avaliamos se a presença da síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP) altera múltiplos marcadores ultrassonográficos e laboratoriais de risco metabólico e doença cardiovascular em mulheres obesas sem outras condições que interferem com o critério de elegibilidade do contraceptivo oral combinado (COC). MÉTODOS: Estudo caso-controle avaliando 90 mulheres obesas ( 30,0 Kg/m² e < 40 Kg/m²), com idade entre 18 e 40 anos, sem outras condições de saúde que interferem com os critérios de elegibilidade de COC: 45 com SOP e 45 controles, pareadas por idade. Índice de massa corporal; circunferência da cintura e do quadril; pressão arterial sanguínea; insulina e glicemia de jejum; quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI); HDL, LDL e colesterol total; triglicérides; testosterona; globulina carreadora de hormônios sexuais (SHBG); índice de androgênio livre (FAI); índice de rigidez da carótida e espessura íntimamédia (EIM); dilatação mediada por fluxo da artéria braquial (DMF) e doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica (DHGNA) foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: Em mulheres obesas com SOP, observamos uma maior freqüência de DHGNA quando comparada a obesas sem SOP (73,4% vs. 46,6%, p<0,01). Embora não significativo, observamos uma tendência a aumento da insulina (10,06±6,66 UI/mL vs. 7,45±5,88 UI/mL, p=0,05), diminuição do QUICKI (0,36±0,06 vs. 0,39±0,07, p=0,05) e diminuição da DMF (7,00±3,87% vs. 8,41±3,79%, p=0,08). Nenhuma outra diferença significativa foi observada. CONCLUSÕES: DHGNA é freqüente em mulheres obesas sem outras condições que interferem com o critério de elegibilidade do COC, especialmente naquelas com SOP. Isto deveria ser considerado na escolha da melhor opção contraceptiva. / OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) alters multiple ultrasonographic and laboratorial markers of metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk in obese women without any other health condition that interferes with combined oral contraceptive (COC) eligibility criteria. METHOD: A case-control study evaluating 90 obese women ( 30.0kg/m² and <40kg/m²) aged between 18 and 40 years without any other health condition that interferes with COC eligibility criteria: 45 with PCOS and 45 age-matched controls. Body mass index; waist and hip circumference; arterial blood pressure; fasting insulin and glucose; quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI); HDL, LDL and total cholesterol; triglycerides; testosterone; sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI); carotid stiffness index and intima media thickness; flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery; and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were assessed. Results: In PCOS women, we observed a higher frequency of NAFLD (73.4% vs. 46.6%, p<0.01) and higher FAI (10.43% vs. 6.84%, p<0.01). We also observe a trend of increased insulin (10.06±6.66IU/mL vs. 7.45±5.88IU/mL, p=0.05), decreased QUICKI (0.36±0.06 vs. 0.39±0.07, p = 0.05), and decreased FMD (7.00±3.87% vs. 8.41±3.79%, p=0.08). No other significant difference was observed. Conclusions: NAFLD is frequent in obese women without any other health condition that interferes with COC eligibility criteria, especially in those with PCOS. This should be considered when choosing the best contraceptive option.