RESUMO
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between paraoxonase-1 (PON1), periostin (POSTN), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 serum concentration with non-invasive liver fibrosis scores, in a cohort of patients with NAFLD. We studied a cohort of 52 patients diagnosed with NAFLD. The NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) and BARD scores were calculated for each patient. We determined the PON1, POSTN, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 serum values using ELISA kits. There was no correlation between PON1 or POSTN serum levels and non-invasive liver fibrosis. The TNF-α serum values were independently associated with the liver fibrosis scores (P=0.02 for NFS and P=0.002 for FIB-4). Age and metabolic syndrome were also independently linked to the fibrosis scores. In conclusion, serum levels of TNF-α, age and metabolic syndrome were associated with the non-invasive liver fibrosis scores.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important cause of chronic liver diseases around the world. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an enzyme produced by the liver with an important antioxidant role. The aim of this study was to evaluate PON1 serum concentration and PON1 gene polymorphisms in patients with NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a group of 81 patients with NAFLD with persistently elevated aminotransferases and a control group of 81 patients without liver diseases. We collected clinical information and performed routine blood tests. We also measured the serum concentration of PON1 and evaluated the PON1 gene polymorphisms L55M, Q192R, and C-108T. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in serum PON1 concentrations among the two groups. The heterozygous and the mutated homozygous variants (LM + MM) of the L55M polymorphism were more frequent in the NAFLD group (p < 0.001). These genotypes were found in a multivariate binary logistic regression to be independently linked to NAFLD (Odds ratio = 3.4; p = 0.04). In a multivariate linear regression model, the presence of NAFLD was associated with low PON1 concentration (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PON1 serum concentrations were diminished in patients with NAFLD, and the presence of NAFLD was linked with low PON1 concentration. The LM + MM genotypes of the PON1 L55M polymorphism were an independent predictor for NAFLD with persistently elevated aminotransferases.
RESUMO
NASH consists in lipid accumulation in hepatocytes that trigger oxidative stress, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines leading to steatohepatitis (NASH). The study aimed to investigate the levels of proinflammatory (TNF-α and IL-6) along with anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in patients with NASH and to correlate the cytokines' level with their polymorphism. Sixty-six patients with NASH and 30 healthy volunteers were included in the study. The plasmatic level of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were determined by ELISA. IL-10 -1082 G/A, IL-6 -174 G/C, and TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphisms were determined using the PCR-RFLP technique. IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with NASH. There was a positive correlation between proinflammatory cytokines and a negative correlation between IL-10 and proinflammatory markers. The G allele and GG genotype of IL-6 -174 G/C polymorphism were more frequently noticed in NASH patients. Regarding IL-10 -1082 G/A polymorphism, the AA genotype was correlated with NASH and with a low plasmatic level of IL-10. The A allele in position 308 of the TNF-α gene was associated with high level of cytokine. In conclusion, there was an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in NASH patients. IL-10 -1082 G/A and TNF-α -308 G/A genotypes were correlated with the plasmatic levels of cytokines.