Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein Plasma Levels and Liver TNF-Alpha Gene Expression in Obese Patients: Evidence for the Potential Role of Endotoxin in the Pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

摘要

Some lines of evidence suggest that endotoxin may induce non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a background of fatty liver. However, a clear association between increased endotoxemia and development of steatohepatitis in obese patients has not been confirmed. We aim to assess the endotoxemic state of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its relationship with the liver expression of TNF-α and the presence of NASH.