Serum Monounsaturated Triacylglycerol Predicts Steatohepatitis in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Hepatitis B

Abstract

Chronic liver disease is associated with lipid metabolic disruption. We carried out a study to determine serum lipidomic features of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and active chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and explored the biomarkers for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Serum lipidomic profiles of healthy controls (n = 23) and of biopsy–proven NAFLD (n = 42), CHB with NAFLD (n = 22) and without NAFLD (n = 17) were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. There were distinct serum lipidome between groups of NAFLD and CHB without NAFLD. Most of the neutral lipids and ceramide were elevated in the NAFLD group but were decreased in the CHB without NAFLD group. Plasmalogens were decreased in both groups. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) with lower carbon numbers and double bonds were increased in subjects with NASH. Serum monounsaturated TAG was a significant predictor of NASH (OR = 3.215; 95%CI 1.663–6.331) and positively correlated with histological activity (r = 0.501; P < 0.001). It showed good predictability for NASH in the NAFLD group [area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) = 0.831] and was validated in the CHB group (AUROC = 0.833); this characteristic was superior to that of cytokeratin-18 and alanine transaminase. The increase in monounsaturated TAG might be a specific marker for NASH in both NAFLD and CHB patients.

Metabolomic and Lipidomic Biomarkers for Premalignant Liver Disease Diagnosis and Therapy

“…A lipidomic study of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) with and without NAFLD has been conducted in China. Monounsaturated triacylglycerols (TGs) were found more commonly in NASH patients than non-NASH patients [196]. However, there was considerable overlap between these groups, and examination of the raw data does not support the specificity of monounsaturated TGs, with both saturated and diunsaturated TGs associated with NASH.…”

PNPLA3 rs139051 is associated with phospholipid metabolite profile and hepatic inflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

“…After 12-h fasting, serum lipidomics of the enrolled NAFLD patients were analyzed with a combination of UPLC (Waters, Milford, MA, United States) and Triple TOF 5600 mass spectrometer (AB SCIEX, Framingham, MA, United States)[ 24 ]. The column temperature was set to 55°C.…”

Liquid Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Viral Hepatitis, Fatty Liver Steatosis, and Alcoholic Liver Diseases

“…These include fluctuations in the level of fatty acids, increased lipogenesis, the secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and suppressed clearance through β-oxidation [51]. NASH is characterized by an increase in the level of serum triacylglycerols (TAGs), and a positive hepatic histological index distinguishes NASH in NAFLD patients [52]. Minimal TAG levels may be hepato-protective, whereas prolonged lipid storage may escalate into inflammation and metabolic dysfunction [53].…”