Abstract
Background
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is viewed as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Methionine metabolites have been linked to metabolic syndrome and its related diseases. Whether methionine metabolites levels are associated with NAFLD remains unclear. The study aimed to assess the association between methionine metabolites and NAFLD.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included a total of 2814 individuals aged 40–75 years old. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests and abdominal ultrasonography. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association of methionine metabolites with NAFLD.
Results
Overall, 1446 with and 1368 without NAFLD were enrolled in this study. Participants with NAFLD had significantly higher serum S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels, and a lower S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM/SAH) ratio than those without NAFLD (all P < 0.001). After adjusting multiple confounders, odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for quartile 4 vs quartile 1 of SAH, Hcy and SAM/SAH ratio were 1.65 (1.27–2.14), 1.63 (1.26–2.12) and 0.63 (0.49–0.83), respectively (all P for trend < 0.01). In addition, serum SAH, Hcy levels and SAM/SAH ratio were significantly correlated with degree of hepatic steatosis (all P for trend < 0.001).
Conclusion
Elevated serum SAH, Hcy levels and lower SAM/SAH ratio were independently associated with the presence of NAFLD in middle-aged and elder Chinese.
Inflammation is not the cause of an elevated serum ferritin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
