Thesis (Ph. D.)--Northeastern University, 2008. / Title from title page (viewed March 9, 2009) Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Kent State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed April 9, 2010). Advisor: John Chiang. Includes bibliographical references (p. 225-256).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1940. / Typescript. Includes abstract and vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-52).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1959. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [95]-98).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Georgetown University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed September 10, 2009). Thesis advisor: Dr. Catherine Peterson. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.F.C.S.)--Bowling Green State University, 2008. / Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 56 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.) in Food Science and Human Nutrition--University of Maine, 2001. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-59).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Committee on Human Nutrition and Nutritional Biology, March 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

BACKGROUND: As the prevalence of metabolic risk factors in the American population has increased over time, so too has the diagnoses of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Within this spectrum of disease lies the potential for silent progression towards cirrhosis, leaving the patient with few options for treatment. Currently, the standard of care remains counseling on diet and exercise with the goal of reversing disease progression by addressing the underlying risk factors. LITERATURE REVIEW: Recent studies have shown that a correlation exists between low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and hepatic injury from NAFLD. This has become an active area of research, due in part to the anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties of vitamin D. The prospect of a simple and cost effective intervention that can exert its effects on the mechanisms behind the development of NAFLD is interesting and warrants further research. PROPOSED PROJECT: This proposal is for a double-blind, randomized, experimental study of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) versus placebo in a patient population of those with both clinically proven NAFLD and concomitant vitamin D deficiency. Liver fibrosis will be measured and staged with the use of FibroScan elastography. The statistical analysis thereafter will determine if a clinically significant reduction in hepatic fibrosis exists, compared with the results of the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Should vitamin D prove to be an effective treatment option in reversing the progression of NAFLD, clinicians would be equipped with a simple and safe tool to augment their management of the patient. For those that experience barriers (i.e. lower socioeconomic status, other comorbidities, etc.) preventing them from improving diet and exercise, vitamin D would serve as an alternative therapy to aid in reducing their disease burden. Easier methods to treat their disease now projects improved quality of life years later.