Association between serum ferritin and liver stiffness in adults aged ≥20 years: A cross-sectional study based on NHANES.

The importance of serum ferritin has been demonstrated in many liver diseases, but its relationship with liver stiffness remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between serum ferritin levels and participants' liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the United States population. We conducted a screening of participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017.1 to 2020.3 to ensure that participants included in this study had complete serum ferritin and LSM information. Association between the independent variable (serum ferritin) and the dependent variable (LSM) was investigated by multiple linear regression and subgroup analysis was performed to identify sensitive individuals, and we subsequently assessed whether there was a non-linear relationship between the 2 using smoothed curve fitting and threshold effect models. The final 7143 participants were included in this study. There was a positive association between participants' serum ferritin concentration and LSM, with an effect value of (ß = 0.0007, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0002-0.0011) in the all-adjusted model. The smoothing curve and threshold effect models indicated a non-linear positive correlation between serum ferritin and LSM, which was more pronounced when serum ferritin concentration exceeded 440 ng/mL. Subsequent subgroup analysis showed that this positive correlation was more pronounced in males (ß = 0.0007, 95% CI: 0.0001-0.0012), age >60 years (ß = 0.00015, 95% CI: 0.0007-0.0023), black participants (ß = 0.00018, 95% CI: 0.0009-0.0026), and participants with body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 (ß = 0.00012, 95% CI: 0.0005-0.0020). In U.S. adults, there was a positive correlation between serum ferritin levels and liver stiffness, which was more pronounced when serum ferritin exceeded 440 ng/mL. Our study suggested that regular serum ferritin testing would be beneficial in monitoring changes in liver stiffness. Male, age >60 years, black participants, and those with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 should be of greater consideration.

The association of body mass index and weight waist adjustment index with serum ferritin in a national study of US adults.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal serum ferritin levels are associated with a variety of diseases. Meanwhile, abnormal serum ferritin is influenced by a variety of risk factors, but its correlation with obesity remains poorly described. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) and weight waist adjustment index (WWI) with serum ferritin in US adults. METHODS: Participants in this study took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) prior to the pandemic from 2017 to March 2020. Serum ferritin was used as the sole response variable and BMI and WWI were used as independent variables. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between serum ferritin and the independent variables, and smoothed curve fitting and threshold effects analysis were performed to assess the presence of non-linear relationships. To validate the sensitive individuals for the correlation between the independent and the dependent variables, a subgroup analysis was performed. RESULTS: A final total of 7552 participants were included in this study. Both independent variables had a positive relationship with serum ferritin, with effect values of (ß = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.17-1.19) when BMI was the independent variable and (ß = 8.62, 95% CI: 3.53-13.72) when WWI was the independent variable in the fully adjusted model. This positive association between the two obesity-related indexes and serum ferritin became more significant as BMI and WWI increased (P for trend < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, the positive association between the independent variables and serum ferritin was more pronounced in participants who were male, 40-59 years old, white, and had diabetes and hypertension. In addition, smoothed curve fitting and threshold effects analysis demonstrated a linear positive association of BMI and WWI with serum ferritin. CONCLUSIONS: In the US adult population, while there was a linear positive association of WWI and BMI with serum ferritin, the effect values between WWI and serum ferritin were more significant. Male, 40-59 years old, white, participants with diabetes and hypertension should be cautious that higher WWI might entail a risk of higher serum ferritin levels.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Immunosuppressed IL-22 in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia via Soluble Cellular Factors.

Mesenchymal stem cells are immunoregulation cells. IL-22 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia. However, the effects of mesenchymal stem cells on IL-22 production in patients with immune thrombocytopenia remain unclear. Flow cytometry analyzed immunophenotypes of mesenchymal stem cells; differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells was observed by oil red O and Alizarin red S staining; cell proliferation suppression was measured with MTS; IL-22 levels of cell-free supernatants were determined by ELISA. Mesenchymal stem cells inhibited the proliferation of activated CD4(+)T cells; moreover, mesenchymal stem cells immunosuppressed IL-22 by soluble cellular factors but not PGE2. These results suggest that mesenchymal stem cells may be a therapeutic strategy for patients with immune thrombocytopenia.