Costa DS, Guahnon MP, Seganfredo FB, Pinto LP, Tovo CV, Fernandes SA. VITAMIN B12 AND HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH NAFLD: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND METANALYSIS.
ARQUIVOS DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA 2021;
58:234-239. [PMID:
34287533 DOI:
10.1590/s0004-2803.202100000-42]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The vitamin B12 absorption can be affected in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and low serum vitamin B12 levels has been related to the high homocysteine (HCY) levels and to the degree of NAFLD.
OBJECTIVE
To carry out a systematic review and metanalysis of serum vitamin B12 and HCY levels in patients with NAFLD.
METHODS
Original studies including serum vitamin B12 and HCY levels in humans with NAFLD were included. The searches were performed in four databases.
RESULTS
159 studies were identified, and after excluding the duplicates and non-eligible titles, eight original articles were included. Six out of eight showed higher B12 levels in NAFLD patients (404.9±136.2 pg/mL in relation to controls 353.91±117.3 pg/mL). Seven of the eight studies also showed higher HCY levels in NAFLD patients (14.2±3.44 umol/L in relation to controls 11.05±3.6 umol/L). The results for serum vitamin B12 and HCY levels were submitted to metanalysis, showing no difference in the vitamin B12 levels between patients with NAFLD and controls. However, the levels of Hcy were higher in NAFLD patients than in controls.
CONCLUSION
There was no relashionship between the vitamin B12 levels and NAFLD. The levels of HCY were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD, suggesting this could be a potential marker for liver damage.
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