This special series on “Metabolic liver diseases – lessons across the lifespan for understanding diseases, diagnosis and treatment” is guest edited by Dr. Elmar Aigner and Dr. Daniel Weghuber from Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria.

Elmar Aigner is Professor of Internal Medicine at Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austrian. He works as a hepatologist with a focus on metabolic liver diseases including genetic and non-genetic causes, i.e. particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Prof. Aigner obtained his medical degree from Innsbruck University and received clinical training in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and Lipidology/Metabolic diseases. Prof. Aigner has authored and co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific papers with an impactor >500, >2.500 cites. He is a member of the governing board of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and actively involved in lecturing and student education in Salzburg.

Prof. Weghuber has authored and co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific papers with an impactor >400, >1.600 cites. He is an alumni of Vienna Medical School, currently Professor of Pediatrics at Paracelsus Medical University (PMU) in Salzburg, Austria. Clinically, he is heading the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and Obesity Research Unit at the Department of Pediatrics at PMU, focusing on metabolic comorbidities including NAFLD, glucose and fat metabolism (in particular disturbed insulin sensitivity and secretion) and phenotypes of preclinical atherosclerosis. In addition, is involved in several training and educational activities of health care professionals on a national and international level in regard to obesity management. He is currently elected president of the European Childhood Obesity Group.

Series outline:

1. Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency-related liver disease in children and adults - typical presentation and management
2. Wilson Disease
3. Hemochromatosis – HFE and beyond
4. Impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on metabolic comorbidity across ages
5. Differential role of insulin resistance and adipose tissue dysfunction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adults
6. Hepatosplenomegaly - a sign to storage disorders
7. Bile acid transport defects as a mechanism in rare monogenic disorders and drug-induced liver injury
8. Liver manifestations of cystic fibrosis
9. Hepatic porphyrias
10. Glycogen storage disorders

Disclosure:
The series “Metabolic liver diseases – lessons across the lifespan for understanding diseases, diagnosis and treatment” was commissioned by the editorial office, Digestive Medicine Research without any sponsorship or funding. Elmar Aigner and Daniel Weghuber are serving as the unpaid Guest Editors for the series.