Is liver stiffness assessed by acoustic radiation force impulse ( ARFI ) technology considerably increased in patients with cholestasis?
Cholestasis significantly increases liver stiffness assessed by ARFI. Therefore, it is important to exclude profound cholestasis when using ARFI for evaluating patients for liver fibrosis.
Our analysis provides evidence for an involvement of ASM in the pathophysiology of allergy, which is in line with previous reports addressing the role of sphingolipids in this disorder. Further studies should clarify the mechanism linking rs1050239 to allergy. The ASM pathway might be useful for predicting allergic disposition and disease course and as a therapeutic target.