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Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce cardiovascular events in humans with type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Activation of the NLR family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and subsequent interleukin (IL)-1β release induces atherosclerosis and heart failure. Here we show the effect of SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin on NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Patients with T2D and high cardiovascular risk receive SGLT2 inhibitor or sulfon

In 2014, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean Diabetes Association to provide limited open access to its databases for investigating the past and current status of diabetes and its management. NHIS databases include the entire Korean population; therefore, it can be used as a population-based nationwide study for various diseases, including diabetes and its complications. This report presents how we established the analytic system of n

UNLABELLED: Sarcopenia is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study investigated whether sarcopenia is associated with significant liver fibrosis in subjects with NAFLD. Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2008-2011 database were analyzed. NALFD was defined by NAFLD liver fat score, comprehensive NAFLD score, or hepatic steatosis index. Degree of liver fibrosis was assessed by NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), FIB-4, and Forns index. Signif

Impairment in macroautophagy/autophagy flux and inflammasome activation are common characteristics of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Considering the lack of approved agents for treating NASH, drugs that can enhance autophagy and modulate inflammasome pathways may be beneficial. Here, we investigated the novel mechanism of ezetimibe, a widely prescribed drug for hypercholesterolemia, as a therapeutic option for ameliorating NASH. Human liver samples with steatosis and NASH were analyzed. Fo

A clinical prediction model can be applied to several challenging clinical scenarios: screening high-risk individuals for asymptomatic disease, predicting future events such as disease or death, and assisting medical decision-making and health education. Despite the impact of clinical prediction models on practice, prediction modeling is a complex process requiring careful statistical analyses and sound clinical judgement. Although there is no definite consensus on the best methodology for model

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetes are common metabolic disorders whose prevalence rates are expected to rise worldwide, corresponding to aging and increasingly obese populations. Compared to the general population (around 25%), 50% to 70% of people with diabetes have NAFLD, and NAFLD severity (including fibrosis) tends to be worsened by the presence of diabetes. NAFLD is considered an emerging risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus and a contributor to the development of ch

The new non-laboratory-based self-assessment score may be useful for identifying individuals at high-risk of NAFLD. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the utility and feasibility of the scores in various settings.

Betatrophin/angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) is a liver-secreted protein recently identified as a potent stimulator of beta cell proliferation in mice. However, it is unclear how betatrophin is regulated in humans with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the role of betatrophin in mice and in humans with and without NAFLD. Serum betatrophin levels were examined by ELISA in 164 subjects, including 96 patients with NAFLD. Levels were significantly elevated in subjects w

OBJECTIVES: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and sarcopenia have a close association with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study investigated the influence of NAFLD and sarcopenia on ASCVD risk. METHODS: Data from the 2008-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database were analyzed (n = 7,191). The sarcopenia index was calculated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined as the lowest quintile sarcopen