Asporin levels are low in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and increase after vitamin E treatment

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through the female lifespan: the role of sex hormones

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) differs between various stages of the female lifespan. The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence on the association of NAFLD and circulating sex hormones and to explore the pathogenesis of NAFLD within the context of (1) sex hormone changes during the reproductive, post-reproductive female life and beyond and (2) the in vitro and in vivo evidence on pharmacological modulation in women on menopausal hormone treatment (MHT) or endocrine therapy after breast cancer. The fluctuation in estrogen concentrations, the relative androgen excess, and the age-related reduction in sex hormone-binding globulin are related to increased NAFLD risk. Moreover, the peri-menopausal changes in body composition and insulin resistance might contribute to the increased NAFLD risk. Whether MHT prevents or improves NAFLD in this population remains an open question. Studies in women with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen or non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors point to their adverse effects on NAFLD development, although a more pronounced effect of tamoxifen is reported. Future studies focusing on the underlying pathogenesis should identify subgroups with the highest risk of NAFLD development and progression into more aggressive forms, as well as elucidate the role of hormone therapies, such as MHT.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Women and Girls With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

CONTEXT

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes a spectrum of liver damage due to excessive hepatic lipid accumulation. Recent research has demonstrated a high prevalence of NAFLD in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

RESULTS

Strong associations independent of body mass index (BMI) have been found between high androgen levels characteristic of PCOS, as well as insulin resistance, and the presence of NAFLD in these women, suggesting that these factors contribute to liver injury more significantly than obesity. Current studies indicate the occurrence of NAFLD in normal weight women with PCOS in addition to the commonly researched women who are overweight and obese. While the majority of studies address NAFLD in adult, premenopausal women (ages 25-40 years), the occurrence of NAFLD in young and adolescent women has gone largely unaddressed. Research in this field lacks diversity; a majority of studies either focus on populations of White women or are missing demographic information entirely.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should include larger, more racially and ethnically inclusive populations and particular attention should be paid to how excess androgens and insulin resistance contribute to the increased risk of NAFLD seen in women with PCOS of varying weights, ages, and ethnicities.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

Here, we review NAFLD in women with PCOS with subsections focused on the impact of hyperandrogenism, BMI, insulin resistance and age. Most notably, we present the most up-to-date racially and ethnically diverse worldwide prevalence of NAFLD in women with PCOS compared with women without PCOS (51.56% vs 29.64%, P < .001, respectively).

Current and emerging pharmacological options for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent disease and important unmet medical need. Current guidelines recommend, under specific restrictions, pioglitazone or vitamin E in patients with NASH and significant fibrosis, but the use of both remains off-label. We summarize evidence on medications for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), since NASH has been mainly associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Some of these medications are currently in phase 3 clinical trials, including obeticholic acid (a farnesoid X receptor agonist), elafibranor (a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor [PPAR]-α/δ dual agonist), cenicriviroc (a CC chemokine receptor antagonist), MSDC-0602 K (a PPAR sparing modulator), selonsertib (an apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 inhibitor) and resmetirom (a thyroid hormone receptor agonist). A significant research effort is also targeting PPARs and selective PPAR modulators, including INT131 and pemafibrate, with the expectation that novel drugs may have beneficial effects similar to those of pioglitazone, but without the associated adverse effects. Whether these and other medications could offer tangible therapeutic benefits, alone or in combination, apparently on a background of lifestyle modification, i.e. exercise and a healthy dietary pattern (e.g. Mediterranean diet) remain to be proven. In conclusion, major advances are expected for the treatment of NASH.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in males with low testosterone concentrations

AIMS

There are limited clinical data on the association between serum testosterone concentrations and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in men. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the association between testosterone concentrations and NAFLD in adult men, in terms of noninvasive indices of NAFLD and hepatic fibrosis.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 98 men were recruited on an outpatient basis and were divided into low-testosterone (<12 nmol/l or <346 ng/dl, n = 37) or high-testosterone groups (≥12 nmol/l or ≥346 ng/dl, n = 61). Serum testosterone concentrations were measured by immuno-chemiluminescence. Hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and Triglyceride-to-HDL-C ratio (THR), as non-invasive indices of NAFLD, as well as AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), as non-invasive indices of hepatic fibrosis, were calculated based on standard formulas.

RESULTS

Both the non-invasive indices of NAFLD (HSI and THR) were higher in low-testosterone compared with high-testosterone group (HSI: 47.5 ± 2.9 vs. 38.4 ± 1.0, p = 0.005; THR: 1.70 ± 0.16 vs. 0.98 ± 0.07, p < 0.001). On the contrary, none of the non-invasive indices of hepatic fibrosis was different between groups. HSI (p = 0.038), but not THR, remained inversely independently associated with serum testosterone, after adjustment for potential confounders, including sex hormone-binding globulin.

CONCLUSIONS

Men with low testosterone concentrations have higher non-invasive indices of NAFLD (HSI and THR), but not of hepatic fibrosis (APRI, FIB-4, NFS), compared with counterparts of high testosterone concentrations. HSI was inversely and independently associated with testosterone concentrations.

Association of measures of central fat accumulation indices with body fat distribution and metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations among visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), body fat percentage (%), and android/gynoid ratio (A/G ratio) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and verify if the parameters representative of visceral obesity correlate with and exhibit the same frequency as body composition variables; anthropometric indices; and metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory parameters.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study that included 94 women with PCOS. Hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters were analyzed in all women. Free androgen index (FAI) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), as well as LAP, VAI, and anthropometric indices, were calculated. The regions of interest (ROIs) in body composition and body composition indices were evaluated using a dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Overall, 32 variables were selected as markers of body fat distribution.

RESULTS

Among the 32 markers evaluated, 29 correlated with LAP, whereas 25 correlated with VAI, 19 with body fat (%), and 30 with A/G ratio. Additionally, some markers correlated with the four adiposity indices evaluated: ROIs, except for total mass and leg fat (%); body composition (body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference) indices; fasting insulin; and C-reactive protein.

CONCLUSION

LAP and VAI may be sensitive measures for screening and preventing metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in PCOS, with LAP being more sensitive than VAI, and the A/G ratio may be more sensitive than body fat percentage.

A potential link between polycystic ovary syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an update meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological literature regarding the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains inconsistent. Furthermore, it remains debatable whether NAFLD is associated with PCOS as a consequence of shared risk factors or whether PCOS contributes to NAFLD in an independent fashion. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted.

METHODS

This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Relevant studies published before May 2017 were identified and retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science databases. The data were extracted, and the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 17 studies were included into the present analysis. Compared to the control group, the risk of NAFLD in the PCOS group was higher (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.95-2.60). When stratified by BMI and geographic location, the results indicated that the frequency of NAFLD risk was significantly higher in obese subjects (OR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.88-4.82), non-obese subjects (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.12-3.85), subjects from Europe (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.58-2.52), subjects from the Asia-Pacific Region, (OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.89-2.84) and subjects from America (OR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.93-4.55). In addition, PCOS patients with hyperandrogenism (HA) had a significantly higher risk of NAFLD, compared with controls (OR = 3.31, 95% CI = 2.58-4.24). However, there was no association between PCOS patients without HA and higher risk of NAFLD (OR = 1.46; 95% CI =0.55-3.87). The results of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of observational studies and possible confounding factors.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis results suggest that PCOS is significantly associated with high risk of NAFLD. Although this association was independent of obesity and geographic region, it might be correlated with HA.