Serum Progranulin as an Independent Marker of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Biopsy-Proven Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Background: Elevated progranulin levels are associated with visceral obesity, elevated plasma glucose, and dyslipidemia. Progranulin has not been previously investigated as a biomarker of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We sought to determine whether serum progranulin levels are altered in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and if they are associated with their clinical, biochemical, and histological characteristics. Subjects and methods: We measured serum progranulin levels in 95 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and 80 age- and sex-matched controls. The potential associations between progranulin and the characteristics of NAFLD patients were examined by multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Serum progranulin levels were significantly higher in NAFLD patients (34 ± 13 ng/mL) than in controls (28 ± 7 ng/mL, P < 0.001). In NAFLD patients, serum progranulin levels were associated with lipid levels and the degree of hepatic fibrosis. After adjustment for potential confounders, serum progranulin remained an independent predictor of the degree of hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD patients (β = 0.392; t =2.226, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Compared with controls, NAFLD patients have higher serum progranulin concentrations, which are closely associated with lipid values and the extent of hepatic fibrosis.

Circulating progranulin level is associated with visceral fat and elevated liver enzymes: Significance of serum progranulin as a useful marker for liver dysfunction

“…In fact, serum PRGN level showed a significantly positive correlation with serum IL-6 level in humans [13,14]. It was reported that serum PRGN levels were higher in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and their levels were correlated with liver fibrosis [21]. In this study, however, there was no difference in serum PRGN level between hepatic steatosis and nonhepatic steatosis.…”

Progranulin Protects Vascular Endothelium against Atherosclerotic Inflammatory Reaction via Akt/eNOS and Nuclear Factor-κB Pathways

“…Moreover, a recent study identified progranulin as a key adipokine that triggers systemic insulin resistance, adipocyte hypertrophy, and obesity through production of IL-6 in adipose tissue [9]. Previously, we also reported that circulating progranulin concentration has a significant positive correlation with systemic inflammatory markers such as hsCRP and IL-6 [22] and Yilmaz et al [23] showed that progranulin is significantly higher in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients than in controls, and progranulin expression correlates with the degree of hepatic fibrosis.…”

Implications of C1q/TNF-related protein-3 (CTRP-3) and progranulin in patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable angina pectoris

“…In an immunohistochemical analysis of human carotid endarterectomy specimens, both macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaque express progranulin [17]. Yilmaz et al reported that patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have higher serum progranulin concentrations, which are positively associated with total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol [35]. Recently, Qu et al reported that plasma progranulin levels were higher in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and correlated with insulin resistance, inflammation and glycolipid metabolism [36].…”