Survey of Dietary Habits and Physical Activity in Japanese Patients with Non-Obese Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

The incidence of non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by the presence of a fatty liver in individuals with a normal body mass index, is on the rise globally. Effective management strategies, including lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise therapy, are urgently needed to address this growing public health concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between non-obese NAFLD, dietary habits, and physical activity levels. By elucidating these relationships, this research may contribute to the development of evidence-based recommendations for the management of non-obese NAFLD. The study had a single-center retrospective cross-sectional design and compared clinical data and dietary and physical activity habits between patients with and without non-obese NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the relationship between food intake frequency and the development of NAFLD. Among the 455 patients who visited the clinic during the study period, 169 were selected for analysis, including 74 with non-obese NAFLD and 95 without NAFLD. The non-obese NAFLD group showed a less-frequent consumption of fish and fish products as well as olive oil and canola/rapeseed oil, while they showed more frequent consumption of pastries and cake, snack foods and fried sweets, candy and caramels, salty foods, and pickles compared to the non-NAFLD group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that NAFLD was significantly associated with the consumption of fish, fish products, and pickles at least four times a week. The physical activity level was lower and the exercise frequency was lower in patients with non-obese NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD. The results of this study suggest that a low consumption of fish and fish products and high consumption of pickles may be associated with a higher risk of non-obese NAFLD. Moreover, dietary habits and physical activity status should be taken into consideration for the management of patients with non-obese NAFLD. It is important to develop effective management strategies, such as dietary and exercise interventions, to prevent and treat NAFLD in this patient population.

A case of renal involvement in juvenile xanthogranulomatosis.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a type of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis that rarely involves other than the skin. Here, we present detailed ultrasound (US) findings, including a contrast study, of a rare JXD renal lesion. A 42-year-old woman with JXG had chronic kidney disease. Ultrasound showed multiple cystic masses with fine internal septa in both kidneys. Contrast-enhanced US revealed early staining and late washout consistent with the internal septa inside the masses and led us to suspect cystic renal cell carcinomas in both kidneys. Left nephrectomy was performed for diagnostic purposes. Microscopic examination revealed a foamy component with Touton-type giant cells by histiocytosis; CD68 and S100 were positive, and CD1a was negative, leading the diagnosis of JXD. The US findings of extracutaneous lesions on JXA are variable and can be cystic, and when arising in the kidney may resemble cystic renal cell carcinoma.

Fibrolipomatous hamartoma with macrodactyly and carpal tunnel syndrome.

A 26-year-old man presented with congenital left thumb macrodactyly. MRI showed diffuse enlargement of the left median nerve from the wrist to the digits, with particularly severe swelling of the thumb; US revealed the median nerve swelling comprised enlarged hypoechoic nerve bundles and increased hyperechoic areas around the nerve bundles. These typical cable-like and spaghetti-like appearances led to the diagnosis of fibrolipomatous hamartoma (FLH). Only debulking was performed for cosmetic reasons and enlarged nerves contiguous to the skin of the distal phalanx were cauterized and dissected. The diagnosis of FLH was confirmed pathologically. FLH is a rare, congenital disorder characterized by anomalous overgrowth of fibroadipose tissue between and around nerve bundles. Patients with median nerve involvement often present with carpal tunnel syndrome. Once its characteristic image is obtained, biopsy is not necessary.

Urinary Levels of Titin-N Fragment, a Skeletal Muscle Damage Marker, are Increased in Subjects with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Sarcopenia is a pathological condition affecting the development and progression of NAFLD. Urinary levels of titin-N fragment, a biomarker reflecting muscle damage, were measured in NAFLD subjects, and analyzed in a retrospective manner for possible correlations with NAFLD pathophysiology to assess their clinical relevance. This study enrolled 153 NAFLD subjects and 100 subjects without NAFLD, obesity or diabetes mellitus (non-NAFLD). NAFLD subjects had more decreased knee extension strength. NAFLD subjects had greater subcutaneous fat thickness and echo intensity (brightness) of the rectus femoris muscle on ultrasound images; higher levels of the intra- and extra-myocellular lipids (IMCL, EMCL) using 1H-MRS. Urinary titin-N fragment levels were increased with increasing age but not different between males and females. NAFLD subjects had higher titin-N fragment levels than non-NAFLD subjects. The levels were negatively correlated with skeletal muscle mass and knee extension strength and positively correlated with muscle echo intensity, EMCL, and liver fibrosis scores (NAFLD fibrosis score, FIB-4 index). Multivariate analysis revealed that factors affecting the levels were skeletal mass index, leg skeletal muscle mass, liver stiffness, and NAFLD fibrosis score. Urinary levels of titin-N fragment reflected skeletal muscle deterioration and functional decline, and was closely associated with hepatic pathological conditions in NAFLD subjects.