Identification of Bio-markers of Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Cirrhosis in Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

Obesity and Liver disease are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. There are many causes of obesity including genetic and environmental factors. As an individuals body mass index increases, so does the risk of associated co-morbidities like diabetes, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hypertension, sleep apnea, renal insuffiency and cardiovascular disease. By investigating an individual's genome it might be possible to identify certain biomarkers or precursors associated with a host of diseases including diabetes and NASH. My study aims to examine mRNA expression of some genes of the Wnt pathway and its target genes, genes involved in fat metabolims and key markers for activation of Hepatic stellate cells. We determine whether alterations in gene expression correlate with their BMI and/or co-morbidities associated such as type II diabetes. This paper aims to identify whether any of the genes selected could be used as biomarkers for the early detection of Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and determine the possible molecular mechanisms behind the progression of the disease to fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Author

• Mendonsa, Alisha Maria

Language

• en

Keyword

• Bariatric Surgery
• NASH
• Obesity
• Liver Disease
• NAFLD

Date created

• 2009

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Genomics and Bioinformatics

Degree

• M.S.

Advisor

• Rojkind, Marcos

Committee Member(s)

• Vanderhoek, Jack

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/2v23vt52f