Biochemical markers and lipid profile in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients in the PERSIAN Guilan cohort study (PGCS), Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global epidemic that is often asymptomatic and silent, and progresses slowly. This study aimed to determine the biochemical markers and lipid profile among NAFLD patients and their possible relationship with degrees of fatty liver. Methods: This is analytical cross-sectional study, in which, 950 individuals referred to the PERSIAN Guilan cohort study were included through sequential sampling method. The demographic information and blood pressure of the subjects were taken and the blood sample was prepared to investigate the biochemical markers and lipid profile. Also, abdominal ultrasonography was performed to investigate NAFLD and its grades. For data analysis, independent sample t -test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression model were used, where P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The systolic blood pressure (SBP) ( P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ( P < 0.001), hepatic enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], P < 0.001, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], P < 0.001; gamma-glutamyle transferase [GGT], P < 0.001; AST/ALT ratio, P < 0.001), lipid profile (triglyceride [TG], P < 0.001; total cholesterol [TC], P = 0.008; high density lipoprotein [HDL], P < 0.001; LDL-C/HDL-C (ratio), P = 0.003; TC/HDL-C (ratio), P < 0.001); and fasting blood sugar [FBS], P < 0.001 correlated with NAFLD. However, there was no relationship between age ( P = 0.34), alkaline phosphatase [ALP] ( P = 0.26) and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] ( P = 0.72). Further, a significant relationship was observed between AST ( P < 0.001), ALT ( P < 0.001), and GGT ( P = 0.004) and NAFLD degrees based on the ultrasonography. Conclusion: Biochemical markers and lipid profile are associated with NAFLD. Thus, it is recommended to investigate NAFLD in clinical settings in cases in which their changes are observed in patients through ultrasonography.

Silymarin in Combination with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 and Selenomethionine to Improve Liver Enzymes and Blood Lipid Profile in NAFLD Patients

“…Dyslipidemia is known as a risk factor for NAFLD, and several studies confirmed that in NAFLD patients, there is a relationship between steatosis degree and lipid profile [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to assess the effect of an intervention on lipidic parameters, and in this study, Group A patients showed a significant improvement of lipid parameters, with reduction of TC, C-LDL and TG, and an increase of HDL-C levels, with a potential effect also in the cardiovascular outcomes of such patients.…”

“…In daily clinical practice, measurement of above-mentioned liver enzymes is often associated with the blood lipid profile and insulin resistance measurement, which are used to evaluate and diagnose NAFLD. Several studies confirm that serum biomarkers, such as triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, correlate with NAFLD severity [ 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Metabolomic Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…Therefore, early diagnosis of NAFLD may be important to prevent these disorders. Diagnostic approaches for detection of NAFLD include serum liver enzyme measurement, imaging analysis such as sonography and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and liver biopsy (8). The last one is the gold standard for diagnosis of NAFLD, but this method is invasive and expensive and lots of subjects with suspected NAFLD are reluctant to use it as a diagnostic approach.…”

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and transient elastography

“…There is a paradoxical situation in NAFLD, especially in the context of T2DM. IR results in a reduced ability to inhibit gluconeogenesis, but insulin driven lipogenesis still occurs and is even enhanced [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31].…”

“…However, in those patients who have NAFLD, insulin role is diminished. Because of that there is an increase in serum triglycerides levels as well as decrease in HDL levels [31]. Proposed mechanism of pathophysiology regarding the MetS and steatosis development are shown in Figure 1.…”