Letters To The Editor
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 28, 2013; 19(32): 5393-5394
Published online Aug 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i32.5393
Favorable effect of modest alcohol consumption to fatty liver disease
Masahide Hamaguchi, Takao Kojima
Masahide Hamaguchi, Department of Experimental Immunology, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
Takao Kojima, Department of Gastroenterology, Murakami Memorial Hospital, Asahi University, Gifu 500-8523, Japan
Author contributions: Hamaguchi M and Kojima T wrote this letter; Hamaguchi M revised the letter.
Supported by Young Scientists (B) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, No. 23790791
Correspondence to: Masahide Hamaguchi, MD, PhD, Department of Experimental Immunology, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, 1-1, Suita 565-0871, Japan. mhamaguchi@ifrec.osaka-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-6-68794963 Fax: +81-6-68794464
Received: May 3, 2013
Revised: July 9, 2013
Accepted: July 17, 2013
Published online: August 28, 2013
Processing time: 115 Days and 23.6 Hours
Abstract

We previously reported that modest alcohol consumption was significantly inversely associated with fatty liver disease. Feng et al pointed out a discrepancy of statistical significance between our current larger scale cohort and a previous cohort. However, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was higher in non or minimal drinkers than those in light drinkers in both cohorts. They also argue that some potential co-factors such as soft drink consumption and genetic variations should be discussed.

Keywords: Alcohol; Fatty liver disease; Obesity; Diabetes; Metabolic syndrome

Core tip: We reported the inversed association of modest alcohol consumption with fatty liver disease. However, other potential co-factors were argued to be important. Herein, we reply and discuss these important factors in this letter.