Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy of dioctahedral smectite in treating patients of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
Dioctahedral smectite (DS) is natural adsorbent clay useful in treating acute diarrhea. The aim of this study was to determine DS efficacy on patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS in a phase III-, 8-week-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ⋯ DS seems acceptable to treat D-IBS patients, particularly for pain-related symptoms.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Dec 2007
Significant correlations between severe fatty liver and risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
It is known that ultrasonography (US) cannot differentiate between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis. However, US can accurately estimate the severity of the steatosis. The clinical significance of severe hepatic fatty change by US has not been explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the severity of the fatty liver, classified by US, and the degree of metabolic disorders with insulin resistance. ⋯ The presence of severe fatty liver by US correlated significantly with the prevalence and degree of hypertension, abnormal glucose and triglyceride metabolism. Patients with severe fatty liver could be at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and should be screened regularly for metabolic disorders. The physician may also evaluate ALT and hepatic fat content by US in patients with metabolic syndrome. Evaluating the severity of fatty liver by US may be useful because it correlates with the status of hyperinsulinemia, the risks of developing cardiovascular disease, and the threshold for oxidative stress.