Adipose tissue and skeletal muscle is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study evaluates the association between body composition and histologic severity in patients with NAFLD. Using the cross-sectional CT images at the level of L3 vertebra and the histologic findings of 178 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD, we analyzed the correlation of the histologic findings to the skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI), and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI), which is defined as the body composition area (cm2) by height squared (m2). The clinical and laboratory features with body composition were analyzed to determine the risk factors for advanced fibrosis. The VATI significantly increased in severe non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or advanced fibrosis. In addition, the VATI was correlated with the NAFLD activity score (NAS) and the fibrosis stage. In multivariate analyses, age (odds ratio (OR), 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.19; p = 0.025), severe NASH (OR, 8.66; 95% CI, 2.13–46.40; p = 0.005), and visceral adiposity (OR, 6.77; 95% CI, 1.81–29.90; p = 0.007) were independently associated with advanced fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Visceral adiposity is correlated with the histologic severity of NAFLD, which is independently associated with advanced fibrosis.

Objectives: Phthalates are used in a large variety of products including as coatings of pharmaceutical tablets, film formers, stabilizers, dispersants, emulsifying agents, and suspending agents. They have been the subject of great public concern in recent years. The extensive uses of this material have attracted attention and issues regarding its safety have been raised. Methods:In this study, three types of phthalate skin permeation were studied using matrixes such as ointments, creams and lotions in vitro. The absorption of phthalate diesters [Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), Din-propyl phthalate (DPP) and Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DNPP)] using film former has been measured in vitro through rat skin. Epidermal membranes were set up in Franz diffusion cells and their permeability to PBS measured in order to establish the integrity of the skin before the phthalates were applied to the epidermal surface.Results: Absorption rates for each phthalate ester were determined and permeability assessment made to quantify any irreversible alterations in barrier function due to contact with the esters. Types of phthalate in vitro experimental results quickly appeared in the following order DMP > DPP ≥ DNPP. Conclusions:In the experimental results, lotion> cream> ointment, and the permeation rate of lotion with a great amount of moisture was the fastest. Skin permeation rate is generally influenced by the chemical characteristics of a given chemical, such as molecular weight and lipophilicity. As the esters became more lipophilic and less hydrophilic, the rate of absorption decreased.