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©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2009; 15(34): 4346-4347
Published online Sep 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.4346
Published online Sep 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.4346
Biomarkers for noninvasive biochemical diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Tools or decorations?
Yusuf Yilmaz, Department of Gastroenterology, Marmara University, School of Medicine, 34662, Altunizade, Istanbul, Turkey
Enver Dolar, Department of Gastroenterology, Uludag University Medical School, 16059, Bursa, Turkey
Author contributions: Yilmaz Y and Dolar E contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Yusuf Yilmaz, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Marmara University, School of Medicine, 34662, Altunizade, Istanbul, Turkey. yusufyilmaz@uludag.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-533-4403995 Fax: +90-216-6886681
Received: May 11, 2009
Revised: July 24, 2009
Accepted: July 31, 2009
Published online: September 14, 2009
Revised: July 24, 2009
Accepted: July 31, 2009
Published online: September 14, 2009
Abstract
In light of the growing epidemics of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), identification and validation of the novel biochemical surrogate markers for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are paramount to reduce the necessity for liver biopsy. The availability of such markers has tremendous potential to radically alter the management strategies of NAFLD patients and to monitor the disease activity. Although current biomarkers do not entirely fulfill the many requirements for the identification of patients with NASH, they should not discourage our quest, but remind us that we need to cognize the challenges ahead.