Lean NAFLD: a distinct entity

Commentary

A significant subset of patients with NAFLD are lean, but the underlying pathophysiology in this group is poorly understood. F. Chen et al. (Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Australia) investigated the pathogenesis of lean NAFLD in a cohort of Caucasian patients with biopsy proven disease, and in experimental murine models.

The pathophysiology of lean NAFLD differs from those with non-lean NAFLD disease with respect to gut microbiota composition and bile acid profile. Differences in the metabolic milieu between lean and non-lean NAFLD, at least in part, likely explains the pathophysiology.