Semin Thromb Hemost 2009; 35(3): 277-287
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1222606
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as a Contributor to Hypercoagulation and Thrombophilia in the Metabolic Syndrome

Giovanni Targher1 , Michel Chonchol2 , Luca Miele3 , Giacomo Zoppini1 , Isabella Pichiri1 , Michele Muggeo1
  • 1Section of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
  • 2Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
  • 3Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 May 2009 (online)

ABSTRACT

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), comprising its whole spectrum of conditions ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; NASH) and cirrhosis, is the most frequent liver disease in developed countries and is now regarded as the liver manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Several studies indicate that NAFLD, especially in its necro-inflammatory form (NASH), is associated with a systemic proinflammatory/prothrombotic state, independently of shared metabolic risk factors. This suggests that NAFLD/NASH is not simply a marker of the proinflammatory/prothrombotic state in the metabolic syndrome but is actively involved in its pathogenesis, possibly through the systemic release of proinflammatory and procoagulant factors from the steatotic liver (C-reactive protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, interleukin-6, fibrinogen, and other proinflammatory cytokines). The clinical impact of NAFLD on the proinflammatory/prothrombotic risk profile deserves particular attention in view of the implications for screening and surveillance strategies in the growing number of patients with NAFLD.

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Dr. Giovanni Targher

Section of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, University of Verona

Ospedale Civile Maggiore, Piazzale Stefani, 1, 37126 Verona, Italy

Email: giovanni.targher@univr.it