External validation of the fatty liver index and lipid accumulation product indices, using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, to identify hepatic steatosis in healthy controls and obese, insulin-resistant individuals

Fatty liver index is associated to pulse wave velocity in healthy subjects: Data from the Brisighella Heart Study

BACKGROUND

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is associated to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to evaluate association of indexes of fatty liver with arterial stiffness (AS).

METHODS

We analyzed data of adult volunteers visited during the last Brisighella survey. We evaluated the Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) and the following non-invasive indexes of liver steatosis: Fatty Liver Index (FLI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI). We compared patients according to the risk of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): low-risk (BMI < 28 and no diabetes), intermediate-risk (BMI ≥ 28 or diabetes), high-risk (BMI ≥ 28 and diabetes). Multiple Linear Regression analysis was assessed for predictors of AS.

RESULTS

We studied 1731 volunteers. In subjects with low metabolic risk, HSI (RR = 0.138, 95%CI 0.105-0.170, p < 0.001), FLI (RR = 0.024, 95%CI 0.016-0.032, p < 0.001), LAP (RR = 0.014, 95%CI 0.008-0.020, p < 0.001) and Serum Uric Acid (RR = 0.150, 95%CI 0.024-0.275, p = 0.019) were significant predictors of AS. HSI and FLI emerged as predictors of PWV in intermediate risk group (RR = 0.116, 95%CI 0.071-0.160, p < 0.001; RR = 0.010, 95%CI 0.001-0.020, p = 0.041). In volunteers with high risk, FLI and Uric Acid were related to PWV (RR = 0.049, 95%CI 0.011-0.087, p = 0.013; RR = 0.632, 95% CI 0.222-1.041, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Fatty liver indirect indexes were associated to AS in subjects with different metabolic risk profiles.

Short-term decreased physical activity with increased sedentary behaviour causes metabolic derangements and altered body composition: effects in individuals with and without a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Low physical activity levels and sedentary behaviour are associated with obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We investigated the effects of a short-term reduction in physical activity with increased sedentary behaviour on metabolic profiles and body composition, comparing the effects in individuals with first-degree relatives with type 2 diabetes (FDR+ve) vs those without (FDR-ve).

METHODS

Forty-five habitually active participants (16 FDR+ve [10 female, 6 male] and 29 FDR-ve [18 female, 11 male]; age 36 ± 14 years) were assessed at baseline, after 14 days of step reduction and 14 days after resuming normal activity. We determined physical activity (using a SenseWear armband), cardiorespiratory fitness ([Formula: see text]), body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry/magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and multi-organ insulin sensitivity (OGTT) at each time point. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-factor between-groups ANCOVA, with data presented as mean ± SD or (95% CI).

RESULTS

There were no significant between-group differences in physical activity either at baseline or following step reduction. During the step-reduction phase, average daily step count decreased by 10,285 steps (95% CI 9389, 11,182; p < 0.001), a reduction of 81 ± 8%, increasing sedentary time by 223 min/day (151, 295; p < 0.001). Pooling data from both groups, following step reduction there was a significant decrease in whole-body insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index) (p < 0.001), muscle insulin sensitivity index (p < 0.001), cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.002) and lower limb lean mass (p = 0.004). Further, there was a significant increase in total body fat (p < 0.001), liver fat (p = 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.013), with a borderline significant increase in NEFA AUC during the OGTT (p = 0.050). Four significant between-group differences were apparent: following step reduction, FDR+ve participants accumulated 1.5% more android fat (0.4, 2.6; p = 0.008) and increased triacylglycerol by 0.3 mmol/l (0.1, 0.6; p = 0.044). After resuming normal activity, FDR+ve participants engaged in lower amounts of vigorous activity (p = 0.006) and had lower muscle insulin sensitivity (p = 0.023). All other changes were reversed with no significant between-group differences.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

A short-term reduction in physical activity with increased sedentary behaviour leads to a reversible reduction in multi-organ insulin sensitivity and cardiorespiratory fitness, with concomitant increases in central and liver fat and dyslipidaemia. The effects are broadly similar in FDR+ve and FDR-ve individuals. Public health recommendations promoting physical activity should incorporate advice to avoid periods of sedentary behaviour.

Validation of simple indexes for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in western China: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Various noninvasive algorithms have been developed for predicting the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The evaluation of the indexes' diagnostic performance has been reported in Europe and Asia over the past decade; however, external validation of them in China is rare. This study was aimed to evaluate various indexes for NAFLD in western China. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study, using data from a large-scale health check-up project at Sichuan provincial hospital. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of eight indexes, including the fatty liver index (FLI), the hepatic steatosis index, lipid accumulation product and etc., were developed to predict ultrasonographic NAFLD. There were 13,122 subjects in this study (2,692 NAFLD patients and 10,430 non-NAFLD participants). The area under ROC curve of FLI for predicting NAFLD was 0.880 (95% confidence interval, 0.874-0.886), which was significantly higher than other seven indexes. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of FLI for NAFLD were good (cut-off value = 30, 0.782, 0.832, 0.770 and cut-off value = 60, 0.838, 0.443, 0.940, respectively). Furthermore, FLI also presented advantages in expenditure and accessibility, compared with other indexes. It supports FLI as an easily accessible index for physicians and a reliable predictor for NAFLD screening in western China.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver biomarkers and stroke risk: The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke cohort

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Liver disease, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but little is known about its relationship with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

In the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort of 30,239 American black and white adults, we assessed baseline NAFLD as fatty liver index (FLI) >60, and assessed liver biomarkers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and the AST/ALT ratio and risk of incident ischemic stroke over 5.8 years using a case-cohort study design.

RESULTS

Considering 572 strokes and a 1,017-person cohort sample, NAFLD was inversely associated with stroke risk in men (HR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.96), as was being in the highest ALT quintile versus the lowest (HR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.78) and the highest versus lowest GGT quintile (HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.85), but not in women. Conversely, FLI score above the 90th percentile was associated with increased stroke risk among women (HR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.14-4.47), but not men. AST was not associated with stroke risk in either sex. AST/ALT ratio >2 was strongly associated with increased stroke risk in whites, but not blacks (HRs: 3.64; 95% CI: 1.42-9.35 and 0.97; 95% CI: 0.45-1.99, respectively; p for interaction = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The relationships between NAFLD, liver biomarkers, and ischemic stroke are complex, and sex and race differences we observed require further study and confirmation.

Fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index for prediction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Little is known about the diagnostic value of hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and fatty liver index (FLI), as well as their link to metabolic syndrome in type 1 diabetes mellitus. We have screened the effectiveness of FLI and HSI in an observational pilot study of 40 patients with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

FLI and HSI were calculated for 201 patients with type 1 diabetes. Forty patients with FLI/HSI values corresponding to different risk of liver steatosis were invited for liver magnetic resonance study. In-phase/opposed-phase technique of magnetic resonance was used. Accuracy of indices was assessed from the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

Twelve (30.0%) patients had liver steatosis. For FLI, sensitivity was 90%; specificity, 74%; positive likelihood ratio, 3.46; negative likelihood ratio, 0.14; positive predictive value, 0.64; and negative predictive value, 0.93. For HSI, sensitivity was 86%; specificity, 66%; positive likelihood ratio, 1.95; negative likelihood ratio, 0.21; positive predictive value, 0.50; and negative predictive value, 0.92. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for FLI was 0.86 (95% confidence interval [0.72; 0.99]); for HSI 0.75 [0.58; 0.91]. Liver fat correlated with liver enzymes, waist circumference, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein. FLI correlated with C-reactive protein, liver enzymes, and blood pressure. HSI correlated with waist circumference and C-reactive protein. FLI ≥ 60 and HSI ≥ 36 were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and nephropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

The tested indices, especially FLI, can serve as surrogate markers for liver fat content and metabolic syndrome in type 1 diabetes.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver and advanced fibrosis in the elderly: Results from a community-based Polish survey

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Development of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) is dependent on metabolic factors occurring at an increased frequency with advancing age. Until now, few studies have explored the prevalence of NAFL in aged populations. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of NAFL and advanced fibrosis in the elderly population participating in a national survey of a community-based elderly cohort.

METHODS

A total of 3003 participants (mean age 79.6 years, 46.8% male) were enrolled in the study, after applying the following exclusion criteria: individuals younger than 65 years old (n=829) and those with positive serological biomarkers of HBV or HCV infection (n=391), chronic alcohol ingestion (n=727) or incomplete data records (n=745). Based on the fatty liver index (FLI), the participants were classified into three categories: FLI<30 (no NAFL), 30≤FLI<60 (borderline) and FLI≥60 (NAFL). According to the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score (NFS), the participants were divided into three advanced fibrosis risk categories: NFS<-1.455 (low risk), -1.455≤NFS≤0.676 (intermediate risk) and NFS>0.676 (high risk).

RESULTS

The prevalence of NAFL in the general population was 37.2%; the prevalence reached 51.4% in participants 65-70 years of age and decreased with advancing age (P<.0001). The prevalence of advanced fibrosis was 7.79% (14.8% in the NAFL population) and increased with advancing age (P<.005).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of NAFL and metabolically driven advanced fibrosis are relatively common in the elderly population, and these hepatic conditions run in adverse directions with advancing age.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Evolving paradigms

In the last years new evidence has accumulated on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) challenging the paradigms that had been holding the scene over the previous 30 years. NAFLD has such an epidemic prevalence as to make it impossible to screen general population looking for NAFLD cases. Conversely, focusing on those cohorts of individuals exposed to the highest risk of NAFLD could be a more rational approach. NAFLD, which can be diagnosed with either non-invasive strategies or through liver biopsy, is a pathogenically complex and clinically heterogeneous disease. The existence of metabolic as opposed to genetic-associated disease, notably including "lean NAFLD" has recently been recognized. Moreover, NAFLD is a systemic condition, featuring metabolic, cardiovascular and (hepatic/extra-hepatic) cancer risk. Among the clinico-laboratory features of NAFLD we discuss hyperuricemia, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, gallstones, psoriasis and selected endocrine derangements. NAFLD is a precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome and progressive liver disease develops in T2D patients in whom the course of disease is worsened by NAFLD. Finally, lifestyle changes and drug treatment options to be implemented in the individual patient are also critically discussed. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the new concepts on clinical and pathogenic heterogeneity of NAFLD, a systemic disorder with a multifactorial pathogenesis and protean clinical manifestations. It is highly prevalent in certain cohorts of individuals who are thus potentially amenable to selective screening strategies, intensive follow-up schedules for early identification of liver-related and extrahepatic complications and in whom earlier and more aggressive treatment schedules should be carried out whenever possible.

Ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator detects mild steatosis and correlates with metabolic/histological parameters in various liver diseases

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Fatty liver is a common feature of different types of liver diseases. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography for diagnosing fatty liver are variable. A semi-quantitative ultrasound score, i.e., the ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator (US-FLI), is closely associated with metabolic/histological variables in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The main aims of this study were to assess the diagnostic performance of US-FLI in detecting varying degrees of histological steatosis, and to examine the association of US-FLI with metabolic/histological parameters in 352 biopsied patients with various chronic liver diseases (173 with hepatitis C [HCV], 23 with hepatitis B [HBV], 123 with NAFLD and 33 with other etiologies).

RESULTS

US-FLI accurately detected mild steatosis (minimum amount 10% on histology) with a cut-off value ≥2 (sensitivity 90.1%, specificity 90%), moderate steatosis (≥30%) with a cut-off value ≥3 (sensitivity 86.4%, specificity 92.5%) and severe steatosis (>66%) with a cut-off value ≥5 (sensitivity 88.5%, specificity 87%). US-FLI was correlated with steatosis percentage in each liver disease group as well as with lobular inflammation, ballooning, portal fibrosis, grading and staging in patients with NAFLD or HCV. US-FLI was also correlated with waist circumference, body mass index and insulin resistance both in the whole sample and in each liver disease group.

CONCLUSIONS

US-FLI accurately identifies histological severity and is correlated with metabolic parameters in patients with various steatogenic liver diseases. US-FLI is an easy and versatile tool for the screening of steatosis and the metabolic health of these patients.

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk factors for advanced fibrosis and mortality in the United States

In the United States, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease and associated with higher mortality according to data from earlier National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988–1994. Our goal was to determine the NAFLD prevalence in the recent 1999–2012 NHANES, risk factors for advanced fibrosis (stage 3–4) and mortality. NAFLD was defined as having a United States Fatty Liver Index (USFLI) > 30 in the absence of heavy alcohol use and other known liver diseases. The probability of low/high risk of having advanced fibrosis was determined by the NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS). In total, 6000 persons were included; of which, 30.0% had NAFLD and 10.3% of these had advanced fibrosis. Five and eight-year overall mortality in NAFLD subjects with advanced fibrosis was significantly higher than subjects without NAFLD ((18% and 35% vs. 2.6% and 5.5%, respectively) but not NAFLD subjects without advanced fibrosis (1.1% and 2.8%, respectively). NAFLD with advanced fibrosis (but not those without) is an independent predictor for mortality on multivariate analysis (HR = 3.13, 95% CI 1.93–5.08, p<0.001). In conclusion, in this most recent NHANES, NAFLD prevalence remains at 30% with 10.3% of these having advanced fibrosis. NAFLD per se was not a risk factor for increased mortality, but NAFLD with advanced fibrosis was. Mexican American ethnicity was a significant risk factor for NAFLD but not for advanced fibrosis or increased mortality.

Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Call to Action

Traditionally a disease of hepatologists, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently become a major concern for a broad spectrum of health care providers. Endocrinologists and those caring for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at center stage, as T2DM appears to worsen the course of NAFLD and the liver disease makes diabetes management more challenging. However, the nature of this relationship remains incompletely understood. Although the increasing prevalence of NAFLD is frequently attributed to the epidemic of obesity and is often oversimplified as the "hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome," it is a much more complex disease process that may also be observed in nonobese individuals and in patients without clinical manifestations of the metabolic syndrome. It carries both metabolic and liver-specific complications that make its approach unique among medical conditions. Diabetes appears to promote the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the more severe form of the disease, and increases the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients and physicians face many uncertainties, including fragmented information on the natural history of the disease, challenges in the diagnosis of NASH, and few pharmacological agents with proven efficacy. However, recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, combined with the risk of serious consequences from inaction, call for health care providers to be more proactive in the management of patients with T2DM and NASH.

Fatty Liver Index and Lipid Accumulation Product Can Predict Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects without Fatty Liver Disease

Background. Fatty liver index (FLI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) are indexes originally designed to assess the risk of fatty liver and cardiovascular disease, respectively. Both indexes have been proven to be reliable markers of subsequent metabolic syndrome; however, their ability to predict metabolic syndrome in subjects without fatty liver disease has not been clarified. Methods. We enrolled consecutive subjects who received health check-up services at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from 2002 to 2009. Fatty liver disease was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. The ability of the FLI and LAP to predict metabolic syndrome was assessed by analyzing the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. Results. Male sex was strongly associated with metabolic syndrome, and the LAP and FLI were better than other variables to predict metabolic syndrome among the 29,797 subjects. Both indexes were also better than other variables to detect metabolic syndrome in subjects without fatty liver disease (AUROC: 0.871 and 0.879, resp.), and the predictive power was greater among women. Conclusion. Metabolic syndrome increases the cardiovascular disease risk. The FLI and LAP could be used to recognize the syndrome in both subjects with and without fatty liver disease who require lifestyle modifications and counseling.

Non-invasive diagnosis of hepatic steatosis

Non-invasive diagnosis and quantification of hepatic steatosis rely on two different but complementary approaches: biomarkers or imaging techniques, either ultrasound-based such as liver ultrasonography and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), or computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scores for the detection of steatosis have not gained much popularity in clinical practice so far. CAP, using the M probe, is the most promising technique but needs to be implemented with the XL probe and compared to ultrasound that, despite its limitations, remains the most widely used method. CT, owing to its low sensitivity and the fact that it involves a potential radiation hazard, is inappropriate. Finally, proton density fat fraction measurement by MRI is currently the most accurate and sensitive imaging method, simpler and more practical than magnetic resonance spectroscopy, but restricted, up to now, just to research and clinical trials.

Investigating the role of cortisol and growth hormone in fatty liver development: fatty liver index in patients with pituitary adenomas

PURPOSE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a hallmark of the metabolic syndrome and has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Although glucocorticoids and growth hormone are known to be implicated in its pathophysiology, it has only rarely been investigated in the context of patients with pituitary insufficiency or former cortisol excess.

METHODS

Case-control study in patients with biochemically controlled Cushing's disease (CD; N = 33) and non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA; N = 79). NAFLD was estimated by calculating the fatty liver index (FLI) including BMI, waist circumference, GGT and triglyceride levels.

RESULTS

Although there was no difference in FLI between patients with NFPA and CD, we identified average daily hydrocortisone (HC) intake in those with adrenal insufficiency to be an independent predictor of FLI (β = 1.124; p = 0.017), even after adjusting for BMI and waist circumference. In line, those with a FLI > 60 were also taking in average significantly more HC per day than those with a score <60 (21.05 mg ± 5.9 vs. 17.9 mg ± 4.4; p = 0.01). FLI was also the best independent predictor for HbA1c and fasting glucose levels (both p = 0.001). Growth hormone deficiency and replacement therapy were not associated with FLI in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

While HC dosage affects FLI as an estimate of NFLD in patients with CD and NFPA, the benefit of GH replacement still needs to be determined. In contrast to reports in CD patients with active disease, NAFLD in those with biochemical control was not different from NFPA patients.

Fatty liver index is a risk determinant of incident type 2 diabetes in a metabolically healthy population with obesity

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effect of fatty liver disease (FLD) on the risk of incident type 2 diabetes in a population with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO).

METHODS

The study population comprised 34,258 Koreans without type 2 diabetes. Participants were stratified by BMI (cutoff value, 25.0 kg/m(2) ) and metabolic health state (using Wildman criteria). FLD was defined by the fatty liver index (FLI), a predictive algorithm to detect FLD. Subjects were classified into low and high FLI groups based on tertile.

RESULTS

At baseline, there were significant differences in FLI between four study groups. During a median follow-up of 36.5 months, 1.7% individuals developed type 2 diabetes. The risk of incident type 2 diabetes varied for the MHO group according to the level of FLI. The risk of type 2 diabetes in the MHO with low FLI was not significantly elevated compared with the metabolically healthy individuals without obesity (MHNO) with low FLI (multivariate-adjusted HR, 1.19 [95% CI 0.66-2.14]). However, the MHO with high FLI had an elevated risk of incident type 2 diabetes (multivariate-adjusted HR, 1.99 [95% CI 1.36-2.92]).

CONCLUSIONS

MHO subjects have a substantially higher risk of incident type 2 diabetes than MHNO subjects. The presence of FLD assessed by FLI partially explains this increased risk.

Serum palmitoleate acts as a lipokine in subjects at high cardiometabolic risk

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Clinical data on the role as a lipokine of de novo lipogenesis-derived palmitoleic acid (C16:1n-7cis) in serum non-esterified fatty acids (palmitoleate) are scarce. We aimed to assess whether palmitoleate relates to cardiometabolic risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this cross-sectional study we included 358 individuals aged 30-65-years at high cardiovascular risk. We tested the association of palmitoleate (determined by gas chromatography) with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components (defined by ATPIII criteria), fatty liver index (a surrogate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD]), and subclinical atherosclerosis (determined as ultrasound-measured carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness). Palmitoleate concentration was higher in women compared with men (median ± range interquartile, 1.36 ± 0.96 vs. 0.97 ± 0.77 μmol/L respectively, P < 0.001). In both genders palmitoleate concentration was associated with a higher prevalence of MS: men, odds ratio [OR: 1.12 (95%CI: 1.03; 1.23, P = 0.010)]; women [OR: 1.07 (95%CI: 1.03; 1.13, P = 0.005)], and all of its components except low HDL-cholesterol and hypertriglyceridemia. Palmitoleate was also associated with increased risk of NAFLD in both men [OR: 1.12 (95%CI: 1.03; 1.29, P = 0.031)] and women [OR: 1.11 (95%CI: 1.05; 1.19, P = 0.001)]. No associations with subclinical atherosclerosis were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observational data supports a relationship between de novo lipogenesis-derived circulating palmitoleic acid (palmitoleate) and increased cardiometabolic risk.

Fatty Liver Index Associates with Relative Sarcopenia and GH/ IGF- 1 Status in Obese Subjects

Introduction

Recently the association between hepatic steatosis and sarcopenia has been described. GH/IGF-1 axis has been postulated to play a role in linking fatty liver and low muscle mass. The aim of our study was to explore the association between fatty liver index, sarcopenic obesity, insulin sensitivity, and GH/IGF-1 status.

Methods

427 subjects [age: 45.65±13.94 years, BMI: 36.92±6.43 kg/m²] were enrolled. Participants were divided into three groups: fatty liver index (FLI) <20, 20≥FLI<60, and FLI≥60. Body composition was assessed by DXA. The truncal fat mass (TrFM) to appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) ratio was used as an indicator of sarcopenic obesity. ISI-Matsuda index was used.

Results

BMI, fat mass, and the TrFM/ASM ratio were higher in subjects with FLI≥60. GH, IGF-1 and ISI-Matsuda were lower in the high FLI group (all p<0.05). A significantly positive correlation between FLI and TrFM/ ASM ratio (r = 0.221, p<0.001) was found, whereas FLI levels were negatively correlated with ISI- Matsuda (r = -0.335, p<0.001), GH (r = -0.200, p = 0.006), and IGF- 1 levels (r = -0.157, p = 0.028). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that GH levels were significantly negatively correlated with FLI, while the TrFM/ ASM ratio was positively associated with FLI, after adjustment for age, BMI, total fat mass, truncal fat mass, fat- free mass, and ISI- Matsuda.

Conclusions

Impairment of GH/IGF-1 axis seems to be associated to the risk of the development of sarcopenic obesity and ectopic fat deposition in the liver. Metabolic and hormonal derangements as determinants of ectopic fat deposition and body composition deserve to be evaluated in obese subjects.

Efficacy of lifestyle changes in subjects with non-alcoholic liver steatosis and metabolic syndrome may be improved with an antioxidant nutraceutical: a controlled clinical study

Introduction

The prevalence of liver steatosis is particularly high in subjects with signs of the metabolic syndrome, and current therapeutic guidelines mostly rely on lifestyle changes alone, which rarely achieve significant objective improvements. In the present study, we evaluated the possibility of monitoring objective improvements in these subjects, before and after a dietary regimen.

Methods

Overall, 78 subjects with metabolic syndrome and ultrasound confirmation of liver steatosis were included in an open, controlled study; all of these subjects were treated for 90 days with the standard regimen of diet and exercise. One group of 43 subjects (Group A) also received a Eurosil 85^®-based nutraceutical (silymarin + vitamin E) as a dietary adjunct, whereas the remaining 35 subjects (Group B) represented the control group. Changes from baseline values were recorded in biometric, biochemical, and ultrasound data. For assessments and monitoring of liver steatosis, two indexes were utilised—Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) and Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP) index.

Results

The absolute changes from baseline were significantly higher in Group A in biometric parameters (reduction of abdominal circumference, Body Mass Index, ultrasound measurement of right liver lobe) and in both the HSI and LAP indexes. Both treatments were well tolerated.

Conclusion

The results observed suggest that the use of a Eurosil 85^®-based nutraceutical as a dietary adjunct with antioxidant properties potentially favours the efficacy of the dietary regimen alone and may possibly improve the subjects’ motivation to sustain such lifestyle changes over time.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as a consequence of autonomic imbalance and circadian desynchronization

The circadian system, headed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, synchronizes behaviour and metabolism according to the external light-dark cycle through neuroendocrine and autonomic signals. Metabolic diseases, such as steatosis, obesity and glucose intolerance, have been associated with conditions of circadian misalignment wherein the feeding schedule has been moved to the resting phase. Here we describe the physiological processes involved in liver lipid accumulation and show how they follow a circadian pattern importantly regulated by both the autonomic nervous system and the feeding-fasting cycle. We propose that an unbalanced activity of the sympathetic-parasympathetic branches between organs induced by circadian misalignment provides the conditions for the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Serum Fetuin-A Associated With Fatty Liver Index, Early Indicator of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Strobe-Compliant Article

Increased fetuin-A has been reported in association with type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. However, the large population data concerning fetuin-A and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of serum fetuin-A with fatty liver index (FLI), the indicator of NAFLD. A population-based cross-sectional analysis was performed in 5219 middle-aged and elderly participants who were recruited from 2 nearby urban communities in Shanghai, China. Serum fetuin-A concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The fourth quartiles of FLI, alanine aminotransferance (ALT), aspartate aminotransferance (AST), and γ-glutamyl transpeptadase (GGT) were defined as elevated FLI, ALT, AST, and GGT, respectively. Fetuin-A was positively associated with log-transformed-FLI, -ALT, -AST, and -GGT after adjustment for the confounding factors (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that each one-standard deviation increase in serum fetuin-A (120.1 mg/L) was associated with 12% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.25, P = 0.04), 13% (95% CI 1.06-1.21, P < 0.001), and 10% (95% CI 1.03-1.17, P = 0.005) increased risk of elevated FLI, ALT, and AST, respectively. Categorical analysis showed that as compared to the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of serum fetuin-A associated with a 35% (95% CI 0.98-1.86), 50% (95% CI 1.24-1.83), and 33% (95% CI 1.10-1.60) increased risk of elevated FLI, ALT, and AST, respectively. No significant association was found with GGT. In Chinese adults, serum fetuin-A concentrations were significantly associated with elevated FLI, ALT, and AST, the early indicators of NAFLD.

1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Predicts Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Subset of Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: A Randomized Trial

The goal of this study was to investigate the utility of H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) to quantify the differences in liver metabolites. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used as a means of predicting the probability of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis B.This study included 20 healthy volunteers, 20 patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis B (cirrhosis group), and 20 patients with small HCC secondary to cirrhosis liver parenchyma (HCC group). All patients underwent routine MRI and H-MRS scanning. LCModel software was used to quantify Cho (Choline), Lip (lipid), and Cho/Lip in the 3 groups, and a one-way ANOVA was used to compare the differences in these metabolites between groups.Choline levels were significantly different between the control and HCC group and between the cirrhosis group and the HCC group (all P < 0.001). There was also a significant difference in Lip levels between the control and cirrhosis group and the control and HCC groups (all P < 0.001). There were also differences in Cho/Lip between the control and cirrhosis groups, the control and HCC groups, and the cirrhosis and HCC groups (all P < 0.001).H-MRS followed by the analysis with LCModel can be used to measure changes in hepatic metabolite levels in patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis B and HCC. Thus, H-MRS may be helpful in monitoring HCC and liver cirrhosis development.