Change from Viral Hepatitis to Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Over the course of 40 years, the distribution of liver diseases has changed dramatically with changes in the environment and diet, and with advances in medicine. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) was discovered in 1989. During 1980-2000, HCV was the major etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Japan. However, its assay method has been established and anti-direct viral drugs have been developed, because of which, HCV is being eradicated. Conversely, fatty and alcoholic liver diseases have been increasing in Japan because of the westernization of eating habits and increasing female drinkers. Recently, these liver diseases have become the major causes of HCC. We have identified clinical features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-HCC and the genomic background of its occurrence and progression. We should pay attention to changes in disease distribution and research its pathogenesis for application in treatments.