scholarly journals Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase has a non-linear association with incident non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the non-obese Chinese population: a secondary retrospective study

Author(s):  
Liling Wu ◽  
Man Zhang ◽  
Haofei Hu ◽  
Qijun Wan

Abstract Background Effective and applicable predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are needed for the non-obese Chinese population. We investigated whether serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was associated with incident NAFLD in the non-obese Chinese population. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study that enrolled a total of 33153 initially NAFLD-free individuals who underwent a health examination in Wenzhou Medical Center of Wenzhou People’s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2014. We determined the relationship between GGT at enrollment and incident NAFLD during follow-up in 11906 persons. The relationship between GGT levels and incident NAFLD was analyzed using Cox regression and generalized additive models after adjustment for demographic and clinical variables. In addition, we also performed a subgroup analysis, which was explored by Cox proportional hazard models. It was stated that the data had been downloaded from the DATADRYAD website. Result Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for GGT with incident NAFLD after adjusted demographic and clinical variables. (HR, 1.010; 95% CI, 1.007–1.012; P < 0.001). The incident NAFLD in the highest quartile of GGT levels was 3.653 times as high (95% confidence interval, 2.915 to 4.579) as that in the lowest quartile. A non-linear relationship was firstly detected between GGT and incidence of NAFLD, which had an inflection point of GGT was 26U/L. The effect sizes and the confidence intervals on the left and right sides of the inflection point were 1.104(1.089–1.120)and 1.001༈0.999–1.004༉, respectively. In subgroup analyses, the hazard ratio for incident NAFLD remained consistent across subgroups. Conclusion In conclusion, the GGT level in the non-obese Chinese population was statistically significantly associated with incident NAFLD. The relationship between GGT level and incident NAFLD is non-linear. When GGT level is less than 26 U/L, GGT was strong positively with incident NAFLD.

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2316
Author(s):  
Suguru Ikeda ◽  
Takaaki Sugihara ◽  
Takuya Kihara ◽  
Yukako Matsuki ◽  
Takakazu Nagahara ◽  
...  

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease related to metabolic syndrome. No standard pharmacological treatment has yet been established. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of pemafibrate in 16 NAFLD patients (11 men and 5 women; median age, 59 years; range, 27–81 years) who had taken pemafibrate for at least one year. They were all diagnosed with fatty liver according to imaging and clinical criteria. They were administered pemafibrate from October 2018 to October 2021 (median, 94 weeks; range, 56–157 weeks). Serum triglyceride was significantly decreased by −41.9% (342.3 ± 54.0 to 198.9 ± 20.4 mg/dL, p < 0.001). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels significantly decreased by −42.1% (49.6 ± 7.0 to 28.7 ± 3.4 U/L, p < 0.001), −57.1% (65.1 ± 10.8 to 27.9 ± 3.7 U/L, p < 0.001), and −43.2% (68.9 ± 10.9 to 39.1 ± 5.3 U/L, p < 0.05), respectively. The AST to platelet ratio (APRI) (0.8 ± 0.1 to 0.4 ± 0.1, p < 0.001) and fibrosis based on four factors (FIB-4) index (1.8 ± 0.3 to 1.4 ± 0.2, p < 0.05) also significantly decreased. Liver attenuation (39.1 ± 1.2 to 57.8 ± 2.7 HU, p = 0.028) and liver/spleen ratio (0.76 ± 0.04 to 1.18 ± 0.02, p = 0.012) significantly improved in three patients, as assessed by computed tomography. In conclusion, pemafibrate significantly improves serum triglyceride levels, liver function, FIB-4 index, APRI, and fatty liver in NAFLD patients with hypertriglyceridemia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 472-482
Author(s):  
Ebenezer T. Oni ◽  
Vincent Figueredo ◽  
Ehimen Aneni ◽  
Emir Veladar ◽  
John W. McEvoy ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guotai Sheng ◽  
Nan Peng ◽  
Chong Hu ◽  
Ling Zhong ◽  
Mingchun Zhong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) is a newly developed index of liver function, but its association in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been established. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the AAPR and NAFLD in a non-obese Chinese population. Methods The study included 10,749 non-obese subjects without NAFLD at baseline and divided them into quintiles according to the AAPR. A Cox multiple regression model was used to examine the association between the AAPR and its quintiles and the incidence of NAFLD. Results The average age of the study population was 43.65 ± 15.15 years old. During the 5-year follow-up, 1860 non-obese subjects had NAFLD events. In the Cox multiple regression model, after adjusting the model according to important risk factors, the AAPR and NAFLD risk were independently correlated, and with a gradual increase in the AAPR, the NAFLD risk decreased gradually (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.81; P-trend< 0.0001). Additionally, there were significant interactions between the AAPR and BMI, blood pressure and lipids (P-interaction < 0.05). Stratified analysis showed that the risk of AAPR-related NAFLD decreased in people with normal blood pressure and lipid levels, while the risk of AAPR-related NAFLD increased abnormally in people who were underweight. Conclusions This longitudinal cohort study provides the first evidence that the AAPR is an independent predictor of future NAFLD events in non-obese people. For non-obese people with a low AAPR, especially those with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2, more attention should be given to the management of risk factors for NAFLD to prevent future NAFLD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhangya He ◽  
Xiaomin Li ◽  
Hexiang Yang ◽  
Pei Wu ◽  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
...  

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognized as the most prevalent hepatic disorder worldwide, and an unhealthy lifestyle is the leading risk factor for its occurrence. Vitamin C (VC) has been suggested to protect NAFLD, whereas evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is sparse. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential benefits of VC supplementation daily on liver health and associated parameters in patients with NAFLD. In this double-blind, RCT, 84 patients with NAFLD, aged 18–60 years old, were assigned to 12 weeks of oral treatment with either low (250 mg/day, n = 26), medium (1,000 mg/day, n = 30), or high (2,000 mg/day, n = 28) doses of VC supplements. After the intervention, the Medium group had a more significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase [Medium, −5.00 (−10.25, −1.75) vs. High, −2.50 (−7.75, 0.00), P = 0.02] and alanine aminotransferase [Medium, −8.00 (−18.00, −1.75) vs. High, −3.50 (−13.75, 4.25), P = 0.05; Medium vs. Low, −3.00 (−9.00, 5.50), P = 0.031]. The levels of other indicators of liver health, such as gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin were decreased after the intervention but comparable among the three groups and so did the parameters of glucose metabolism, such as fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance. The plasma level of VC in patients and total adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels were also elevated but not in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, analysis of fecal microbiota composition showed an increase in the alpha diversity (Abundance-based Coverage Estimator (ACE), Shannon, chao1, and Simpson) both in the Low and the Medium groups. A total of 12 weeks of VC supplementation, especially 1,000 mg/day, improved liver health and glucose metabolism in patients with NAFLD. The elevated plasma levels of VC, total and HMW adiponectin, and the improvement of intestinal microbiota may have made some contributions.


Author(s):  
Sung Eun Kim

<i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) is one of the most common pathogens that can cause certain gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Recently, interest in the systemic effects of <i>H. pylori</i> on extragastric manifestations is increasing. Representative diseases include hematologic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, autoimmune, dermatologic, allergic, hepatobiliary, and metabolic diseases. Among them, since the prevalence of metabolic diseases is on the rise worldwide, the relationship between <i>H. pylori</i> infection and metabolic diseases has become an interesting research issue. Many studies have been conducted to clarify any association. However, the results of those studies still remain controversial. This review focuses on recently published studies to investigate the relationship between <i>H. pylori</i> infection and metabolic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and their associated pathophysiology.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedetta M. Motta ◽  
Christoph Grander ◽  
Martin Gögele ◽  
Luisa Foco ◽  
Vladimir Vukovic ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by triglyceride accumulation in the hepatocytes in the absence of alcohol overconsumption, commonly associated with insulin resistance and obesity. Both NAFLD and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are characterized by an altered microbiota composition, however the role of the microbiota in NAFLD and T2D is not well understood. To assess the relationship between alteration in the microbiota and NAFLD while dissecting the role of T2D, we established a nested study on T2D and non-T2D individuals within the Cooperative Health Research In South Tyrol (CHRIS) study, called the CHRIS-NAFLD study. Here, we present the study protocol along with baseline and follow-up characteristics of study participants. Methods Among the first 4979 CHRIS study participants, 227 individuals with T2D were identified and recalled, along with 227 age- and sex-matched non-T2D individuals. Participants underwent ultrasound and transient elastography examination to evaluate the presence of hepatic steatosis and liver stiffness. Additionally, sampling of saliva and faeces, biochemical measurements and clinical interviews were carried out. Results We recruited 173 T2D and 183 non-T2D participants (78% overall response rate). Hepatic steatosis was more common in T2D (63.7%) than non-T2D (36.3%) participants. T2D participants also had higher levels of liver stiffness (median 4.8 kPa, interquartile range (IQR) 3.7, 5.9) than non-T2D participants (median 3.9 kPa, IQR 3.3, 5.1). The non-invasive scoring systems like the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) suggests an increased liver fibrosis in T2D (mean − 0.55, standard deviation, SD, 1.30) than non-T2D participants (mean − 1.30, SD, 1.17). Discussion Given the comprehensive biochemical and clinical characterization of study participants, once the bioinformatics classification of the microbiota will be completed, the CHRIS-NAFLD study will become a useful resource to further our understanding of the relationship between microbiota, T2D and NAFLD.


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