Serum resistin levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and their relationship to severity of liver disease

Increased Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 5 mRNA Expression in the Adipose Tissue of Women with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Associated with Obesity

Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is an anti-inflammatory adipocytokine secreted by adipocytes that seems to be linked with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to evaluate the role of the SFRP5-wingless-MMTV integration site family member 5a (WNT5A) pathway, closely related to adipogenesis, in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissues (VAT) and its relationship with obesity-related NAFLD. Our cohort was composed of 60 women with morbid obesity (MO), who underwent hypocaloric diet, subclassified according to their hepatic histopathology and 15 women with normal weight. We observed increased SFRP5 mRNA expression in VAT and lower WNT5A expression in SAT in MO compared to normal weight. We found elevated SFRP5 expression in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in SAT and in mild simple steatosis (SS) and NASH in VAT. We observed higher WNT5A expression in SS compared to normal liver in SAT, and a peak of WNT5A expression in mild SS. To conclude, we reported increased SFRP5 mRNA expression in SAT and VAT of NAFLD-related to obesity subjects, suggesting an implication of the SFRP5-WNT5A pathway in NAFLD pathogenesis, probably due to the adipose tissue-liver axis. Since the mechanisms by which this potential interaction takes place remain elusive, more research in this field is needed.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of serum resistin level and its relation to HOMA-IR score using meta-regression in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comorbidity with adipose tissue dysfunction is not new and studies have focused on how adipose tissue influences NAFLD pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: Quantification of nature and magnitude of the association between serum resistin and also insulin resistance, by calculating pooled Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) score, with NAFLD pathophysiology was the objective of the current study. METHODS: Using systematic review and meta-analysis and standardized mean difference (SMD) as the effect size, the levels of resistin and HOMA-IR scores have been investigated in NAFLD subjects in comparison with controls in the case-control studies using random-effects models. RESULTS: This meta-analysis retrieved a total number of 665 and 522 cases and 671 and 555 control subjects until May 2020 for serum levels of resistin and HOMA-IR score until May 2020. The final analyses demonstrated that pooled SMD of resistin and HOMA-IR score was 0.687 (95% confidence interval, 0.070–1.304) and 1.368 (95% confidence interval, 1.080–1.655); respectively. Moreover, the p-value for the test of significance for each pooled SMD was examined by the z-test and calculated as 0.029 and 0.000 for resistin and HOMA-IR score (clearly considered as statistically significant). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, the HOMA-IR score and the serum levels of resistin in NAFLD subjects are associated with disease pathogenesis.

The Correlation Between Serum Adipokines and Liver Cell Damage in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic hepatitis, which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between serum adipocytokines and the histologic findings of the liver in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This case-control study was performed on those with persistent elevated liver enzymes and with evidence of fatty liver in ultrasonography. After exclusion of patients with other etiologies causing abnormal liver function tests, the resulting patients underwent liver biopsies. NAFLD was diagnosed based on liver histology according to the Brunt scoring system.

RESULTS

Waist circumferences and levels of blood glucose (after fasting), insulin, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferases (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferases (AST) were higher in patients with NAFLD than in those in the control group. ALT, AST, and gamma glutamine transferase (GGT) levels were lower in patients with liver steatosis of a grade of less than 33% than those with higher degrees of steatosis. Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, and hepcidin levels were significantly higher in those with lobular inflammation of grade 0 - 1 than in those with inflammation of grade 2 - 3 (Brunt score). Meanwhile, AST was significantly lower in those with lobular inflammation of grade 1 than in those with grade 2-3. Hepcidin and resistin levels were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe fibrosis than in those with mild fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that surrogate liver function tests and adipocytokine levels were correlated with the histologic findings of the liver.