Evaluation of the Role of Hyaluronic Acid as a Potential Marker for Diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, ranging from simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to liver cirrhosis, with its complications including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aim of the Work to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of Hyaluronic Acid as a potential noninvasive biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of NAFLD and to compare it with the traditional noninvasive techniques and if it can replace liver biopsy. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 63 subjects from the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Ain Shams University Hospital. They were divided into three different groups as following: a healthy control group, fatty liver and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). All patients and controls were subjected to routine laboratory tests and serum Hyaluronic acid test. Results There were high statistical significant differences between groups as regard INR. Regarding to liver functions, there was a high statistical significant difference between groups as regard AST and ALT ,Bilirubin and Albumin.. Comparison between groups regarding to RBS, there was high statistical significant difference between groups as regard RBS. Comparison between groups regarding to lipid profile, there was high statistical significant difference between groups as regard LDL and cholesterol. Regarding to APRI and Fib4, there was high statistical significant difference between groups as regard APRI and Fib4. Regarding to H.A, there was high statistical significant difference between groups as regard H.A. The study shows that there is non-significant correlation between either APRI or Fib4 and H.A in fatty liver, and there is also nonsignificant correlation either APRI or Fib4 and H.A in NASH. Conclusion Hyaluronic Acid can be reliably used as an accurate and specific noninvasive biomarker for the diagnosis of Nonalcoholic fatty Liver Disease and staging of the severity of disease compared with the traditional known noninvasive scores