Target Therapies for NASH/NAFLD: From the Molecular Aspect to the Pharmacological and Surgical Alternatives

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease represents an increasing cause of chronic hepatic disease in recent years. This condition usually arises in patients with multiple comorbidities, the so-called metabolic syndrome. The therapeutic options are multiple, ranging from lifestyle modifications, pharmacological options, to liver transplantation in selected cases. The choice of the most beneficial one and their interactions can be challenging. It is mandatory to stratify the patients according to the severity of their disease to tailor the available treatments. In our contribution, we review the most recent pharmacological target therapies, the role of bariatric surgery, and the impact of liver transplantation on the NAFLD outcome.

Pharmacological pain management in patients with chronic hepatic disease

The liver has a central role in the pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, elimination, etc.) of drugs. With hepatic insufficiency, the metabolism of drugs decreases, which accumulates metabolically or toxic active products. Some medicines can aggravate a pre-existing liver disease. Medicines used in this group of patients (especially diuretics and centrally acting preparations) can often cause impaired renal function or hepatic encephalopathy. The general principles of assessment, pain management and analgesia should be prescribed taking into account the Word Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for these patients, with careful and frequent monitoring of patient progress during treatment administration. Key words: hepatotoxicity, hepatic dysfunction, cirrhosis, pain medication,