Plasma adiponectin is decreased in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and is frequently associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The recently discovered hormone adiponectin is produced by adipose tissue, and low plasma adiponectin is considered a key factor in the development of the insulin resistance underlying metabolic syndrome. Animal studies suggest that adiponectin may protect against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, but direct evidence in humans is lacking. We therefore conducted this study to assess the relationship between plasma adiponectin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to explore its role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Design and methods: We measured plasma adiponectin and anthropometric, biochemical, hormonal and metabolic correlates in a group of 17 NAFLD patients with diagnosis confirmed by biopsy, and 20 controls with comparable age, body-mass index and sex. Furthermore we compared plasma adiponectin in patients with simple steatosis and steatohepatitis. Results: Plasma adiponectin was significantly lower in NAFLD patients than controls (5.93^0.45 vs 15.67^1.60 ng/ml). Moreover, NAFLD patients were significantly more insulin resistant while having similar serum leptin. Adiponectin was similar in simple steatosis and in steatohepatitis (6.16^0.78 vs 5.69^0.49 ng/ml). An inverse correlation was observed between adiponectin and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance (P ¼ 0.008), while adiponectin did not correlate with serum transaminases and lipid values.

Prevalence and Predictors of Abnormal Liver Enzymes in Young Women with Anorexia Nervosa

“…Adiponectin, although not measured in this study, has been shown to be low in NAFLD [25] and in some patients with AN [26]. The relationship between low adiponectin and NAFLD has been described in overweight patients [25], but has not been examined in AN. In addition to low adiposity, young women with AN may have hormonal or nutritional abnormalities that facilitate the development of NAFLD.…”

“…Although speculative, patients with lower adiposity may have increased susceptibility to NAFLD due to lower levels of adiponectin, an adipocytokine that increases fatty acid oxidation and decreases inflammation [24]. Adiponectin, although not measured in this study, has been shown to be low in NAFLD [25] and in some patients with AN [26]. The relationship between low adiponectin and NAFLD has been described in overweight patients [25], but has not been examined in AN.…”

The value of serum adipokine measurement in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…Adiponectin, TNF-a and leptin were not associated with the extent of hepatic fibrosis Bugianesi et al (24) 174 NAFLD patients and 42 controls Adiponectin serum levels were inversely correlated to the percentage of hepatic fat content and no association was established with necroinflammation or fibrosis Pagano et al (18) 17 NAFLD patients and 20 matched controls Plasma adiponectin was significantly lower in NAFLD patients than controls but similar in simple steatosis and in steatohepatitis Targher et al (19) 60 NAFLD patients and 60 controls. Low adiponectin levels independently predicted hepatic steatosis and necroinflammation but not fibrosis Wong et al (21) 80 NAFLD patients and 41 healthy controls Low adiponectin level and increased leptin level were associated with NAFLD.…”

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease risk

“…Patients with NAFLD have lower levels of adiponectin compared with healthy control subjects, independent of components of the metabolic syndrome [46,48,49]. This observation may be relevant because some studies have shown that lower levels of adiponectin are associated with CVD [50].…”