Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – The Essentials

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease--the-essentials

Introduction

### Course Review: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – The Essentials **Introduction** In recent years, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a silent epidemic, impacting nearly 25% of the global population. This course, available on Coursera, offers an in-depth dive into the essentials surrounding this critical and growing health issue. If you’re a healthcare professional, medical student, or simply someone who's interested in understanding the complexities of liver health, this course is a must-watch. **Course Overview** The course covers a comprehensive array of topics necessary to understand NAFLD. It encompasses the physiology of the liver, the disease’s epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and its relationship with other health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The course structure is well-organized, allowing for a gradual build-up of knowledge that culminates in a deeper understanding of the management and implications of NAFLD. **Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **The Liver - Physiology and Disease** The course commences with the fundamentals of liver physiology, presented by Professor Jens Juul Holst. His lectures provide a clear understanding of essential biochemical processes such as gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism. This module sets a solid foundation for understanding how liver function is integral to overall health. 2. **Causes** The second module investigates the causative factors of NAFLD. Epidemiological insights from Professor Peter Jepsen lead into a detailed discussion on nutritional influences and genetic predispositions related to liver fat accumulation. This is a significant aspect, as understanding the causes can lead to better prevention strategies. 3. **Pathophysiological Aspects** Professor Henning Grønbæk introduces the intricate details of the disease's pathophysiology, including the multiple hit hypothesis. The exploration of how NAFLD affects liver function by Professor Hendrik Vilstrup offers a clear depiction of the disease's progression and implications. 4. **Diagnostics** One of the standout modules focuses on diagnostic methods, led by Professors Flemming Bendtsen and Lise Lotte Gluud. They emphasize non-invasive tests and the necessity of histological assessments, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis and differentiation between types of liver diseases. 5. **Treatment** This module introduces exercise as a vital component for improving liver health with practical insights provided by Personal Trainer Samantha Mølgaard. Moreover, Professor Guruprasad Aithal dives into the pharmacological landscape, shedding light on innovative treatments on the horizon. 6. **Complications and Perspective** The final module consolidates everything learned, discussing the relationship between NAFLD and type 2 diabetes, implications for cirrhosis management, and future directions for research and treatment. This comprehensive wrap-up ties the course material together, providing valuable insights for clinical practice. **Conclusion** Overall, “Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – The Essentials” is an expertly structured course that not only educates but also empowers individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about liver health and disease management. The combination of lectures from leading experts, practical applications, and cutting-edge research insights makes this course an invaluable resource. **Recommendation** I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in liver health, from medical students to seasoned practitioners. Its focus on both the scientific and practical aspects of NAFLD makes it suitable for a broad audience. As NAFLD continues to pose significant health risks worldwide, educating oneself on this topic is an essential step towards better healthcare practices and improved patient outcomes. Enroll today and take a significant step towards understanding and combating this pervasive condition.

Syllabus

The Liver - Physiology and Disease

The liver contributes to overall body homeostasis through several biochemical processes and without these functions we cannot maintain life. In the first lectures, Professor Jens Juul Holst will discuss the physiology of the human liver focusing on biochemical concepts as gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, lipid and amino acid metabolism. The videos will also cover how external hormonal systems such as pancreatic islets regulate liver metabolism. After completing module 1 you will have a broad and basic understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver. In the subsequent modules, we will build on top of module 1 by exploring fatty liver disease.

What causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? This is the core question of module 2. We will kickstart this module by reviewing epidemiological data on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by professor Peter Jepsen. In the second half, professor Bente Kiens will dig into which nutrients that may drive fat infiltration of the liver. The diversity in the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and NASH will be discussed from a genetic approach by doctor Stefan Stender.

Professor Henning Grønbæk will commence module 3 with an overview of the multiple hit hypothesis followed by Hendrik Vilstrup who will describe how the liver function is affected in patients with NAFLD.

Professors Flemming Bendtsen and Lise Lotte Gluud will discuss how to diagnose non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with or without fibrosis by non-invasive tests and describe when additional tests including histological assessment is required. Professor Mogens Vyberg will take us into the world of liver diagnostic by zooming in on the histological traits of liver tissue from patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The module will be concluded by perspectives on how ‘omics’ technologies such as protemics may contribute to identification of novel biomarkers in a lecture by Associate Professor Nicolai J. Wewer Albrechtsen and an interview with Professor Matthias Mann.

Exercise is an important tool to improve the health of your liver. How exercise affect your liver will be introduced by Professor Bente Klarlund Pedersen and Associate Professor Nicolai J. Wewer Albrechtsen. Personal Trainer Samantha Mølgaard will give a practical guide on how to ‘exercise to improve your liver’. The evidence concerning the pharmacological treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is growing rapidly. Professor Guruprasad Aithal will introduce us to the current evidence and provide an insight into future drugs developed specifically for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

In the final module, Professor Henning Grønbæk will discuss the close relation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, why it is important to screen individuals with type 2 diabetes for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Professor Jonel Trebicka will discuss the management of patients who have developed cirrhosis due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Finally, Professor Lise lotte Gluud and Associate Professor Nicolai J. Wewer Albrechtsen will revisit some general aspects of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and discuss its future aspects.