The association between the serum levels of uric acid and alanine aminotransferase in a population-based cohort

Integration of metabolomics and genomics implicates a causality between 1398 blood metabolites and gout

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic disorders represent a hallmark feature of gout. However, evidence on the causality of blood metabolites and gout remains lacking. We performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to systematically evaluate the causality from genetically proxied 1398 blood metabolites to gout.

METHOD

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for 1398 blood metabolites were extracted from 8299 European subjects. The discovery stage was performed using gout data from FinnGen consortium R9 to initially explore causal associations between metabolites and gout. The significant associations identified in the discovery stage were validated in the replication stage employing gout GWAS data from the IEU database. Random-effect inverse variance weighted was chosen as the main method for causality analysis, with MR-Egger, weighted median, robust adjusted profile score, and maximum likelihood as complementary analysis methods. Then, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Results showed that there was a significant causal relationship between eight metabolites and gout, including 21-hydroxypregnenolone disulfate levels, carnitine levels, ethyl beta-glucopyranoside levels, gamma-glutamylglycine levels, glycine levels, glycine-to-alanine ratio, glycolithocholate sulfate levels, and propionylglycine levels. Colocalization analysis evidence strongly supported a causal relationship between 21-hydroxypregnenolone disulfate levels and carnitine levels and gout. In addition, four metabolic pathways were involved in the biological process of gout (carnitine synthesis, beta oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids, alanine metabolism, glutathione metabolism).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study provides evidentiary support for the causal relationship between eight blood metabolites and gout and identifies four significant metabolic pathways. These findings hold the potential to inform future research, clinical interventions, and therapeutic strategies for gout.

The association between serum uric acid levels and the cardiometabolic phenotype among healthcare workers of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction

It is unclear whether hyperuricemia can be considered as an independent risk factor or just as a marker to represent the correlation between uric acid levels and other risk factors of MetS. In this work, we intend to study the correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and the cardiometabolic phenotype among Tabriz University of Medical Science healthcare workers.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric measurements, serum fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), SUA, creatinine (Cr), and blood pressures of 1,451 healthcare workers were evaluated. MetS was diagnosed based on ATP III. We classified the participants into four cardiometabolic phenotypes: metabolically-healthy lean (MHL), metabolically-unhealthy lean (MUHL), metabolically-healthy obese (MHO), and metabolically-unhealthy obese (MUHO).

Results

MHL (26.6%) and MHO (65.8 %) had the highest prevalence rates in the first and second SUA categories, respectively (P≤0.001). Compared to the lowest SUA category, the odds of MHO and MUHO increased by 3.13 (95% CI 2.21-4.44) and 5.50 (95%CI 3.53-8.57) in the highest category, respectively. This trend was not observed regarding the association between MUHL and the SUA classification.

Conclusion

We propose using the easily-measured SUA level as a marker for early diagnosis of at-risk MUHL and MHO individuals to administer proper interventions. Further prospective studies are needed to identify the effects of SUA on the progression of MetS in various body-size subgroups.

Life Essentials 8 score and risk of metabolic syndrome: A dose-response analysis in the US population

BACKGROUND

There is limited research on the relationship between Life Essentials 8 (LE8) score and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our aim is to examine the association between LE8 cardiovascular health metrics and risk of MetS in a nationally representative sample.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from 23,253 adults aged ≥20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018). LE8 score (range 0-100) was calculated based on the American Heart Association's definitions of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors (physical activity, diet, smoking, and body mass index) and factors (total cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and fasting triglycerides). Metabolic syndrome comprises a cluster of metabolic disorders, including obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models, mediation analysis, subgroup analysis and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were used to assess the relationship between LE8 score and MetS risk.

RESULTS

A total of 23,253 participants were included, of whom 7,932 had MetS and 15,321 did not. The average age of the participants was 50.7 years (standard deviation (SD) 12.3), with 49.24% being male. Participants with high LE8 category (80-100 points) had 98% lower odds of having MetS compared to those with low LE8 category (0-49 points) after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02-0.03; P < 0.001). There was a monotonic decreasing dose-response relationship between LE8 score and predicted probability of MetS (P-overall <0.001; P-nonlinear <0.001). Several biomarkers including serum albumin, uric acid and neutrophil count emerged as potential mediators.

CONCLUSIONS

While our studies suggest a potential association between cardiovascular health factors and reduced MetS risk, the cross-sectional nature of our study limits causal inferences. The LE8 score could still serve as a useful screening tool to identify individuals at high risk for MetS, facilitating targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Increased visceral fat area to skeletal muscle mass ratio is positively associated with the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in a Chinese population

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis and comprehension of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently redefined as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are gaining a better understanding. In this study, we examined the association between visceral fat area and skeletal muscle mass ratio (VSR) and the prevalence of MASLD in a Chinese population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 10,916 individuals who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis, along with anthropometric and biochemical measurements, from January 2022 to June 2023. According to the VSR distribution, sex-specific quartiles of VSR within the study population were defined. Linear trend tests were performed for the categorized VSR variables. Logistic regression models were performed to estimate the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals between VSR distribution and MASLD prevalence stratified by sex.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MASLD was 37.94% in the overall population (56.34% male), and it gradually increased with higher VSR levels in both genders (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between VSR and MASLD prevalence after adjusting for confounders. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for MASLD, comparing the lowest to the highest VSR quartile, was 3.159 (2.671, 3.736) for men and 2.230 (1.764, 2.819) for women (all P < 0.001). Restricted cubic splines also indicated significant non-linear relationships between VSR and MASLD prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS

VSR is positively associated with the prevalence of MASLD in this Chinese population, with a notably higher risk for men as VSR increases compared to women.

Association between Serum Uric Acid and Liver Enzymes in Adults Aged 20 Years and Older in the United States: NHANES 2005-2012

Although the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been widely reported, the relationship between SUA and liver enzymes has rarely been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of SUA levels with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in populations aged 20 years and older in the United States. We analyzed 7165 individuals aged 20 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the United States. Weighted multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the relationship between SUA and ALT and AST. A generalized additive model and a smooth curve fitting were used to observe the linear relationship. SUA was positively correlated with ALT and AST. In addition, the overall increasing trend of ALT and SUA was observed across the SUA quartile groups. In the stratified analysis by sex and race, the SUA levels in male, female, Mexican American, and Non-Hispanic White individuals, and those of another race, were positively correlated with ALT and AST. However, the SUA levels in Non-Hispanic Black individuals had a nonlinear relationship with ALT and AST. In individuals aged 20 years and older in the United States (excluding Non-Hispanic Black individuals), SUA levels were positively associated with ALT and AST. Therefore, with a rise in SUA levels, liver function should be monitored or intervened with in people aged 20 years and older in the United States.

Relationship Between Serum Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio and the Risk of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between serum uric acid-to-creatinine ratio (SUA/Cr) and the risk of developing metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Overall, 1434 patients with T2DM who were admitted to Hebei General Hospital from January 2019 to December 2019 were selected as the study subjects. According to abdominal ultrasound findings, patients were divided into two groups: MAFLD group and non-MAFLD group. A total of 734 patients were diagnosed with MAFLD. Participants were divided into three study groups according to the SUA/Cr ratio. Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance were used to perform a comparison between groups. The relationship between SUA/Cr ratio and MAFLD risk was analyzed using correlation analysis and regression analysis. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were performed to verify the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

The detection rate of MAFLD in patients with T2DM was 51.2%, and the detection rate of progressive liver fibrosis in T2DM patients with MAFLD was 36.6%. A significantly higher SUA/Cr ratio was seen in the MAFLD group than in the non-MAFLD group. After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the SUA/Cr ratio was an independent risk factor for MAFLD development. Stronger correlations were found in participants with a body mass index ranging between 23 and 28 kg/m2, HbA1C >7%, or female sex.

CONCLUSION

An elevated SUA/Cr index is independently correlated with an increased risk of MAFLD in Chinese adults with T2DM.

Watermelon rind ethanol extract exhibits hepato-renal protection against lead induced-impaired antioxidant defenses in male Wistar rats

Lead acetate associated tissue injury has been linked to altered antioxidant defenses, hyperuricemia and inflammation. We hypothesized that watermelon rind extract, would ameliorate lead acetate-induced hepato-renal injury. Thirty Male Wistar rats received distilled water, lead acetate (Pb; 5 mg/kg) with or without watermelon rind extract (WM; 400 mg/kg; WM + Pb; 15 days of WM pretreatment); Pb + WM (15 days of WM post treatment) and simultaneous treatment (WM-Pb) for 30 days. Lead toxicity led to elevated serum malondialdehyde, creatinine, urea, uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase, liver injury enzymes, as well as decreased body weight. Decreased serum levels of reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, total protein and glutathione peroxidase activity was also observed. However, these alterations were ameliorated by watermelon rind extract in lead acetate-treated rats. Watermelon rind ethanol extract protects against lead acetate-induced hepato-renal injury through improved antioxidant defenses at least in part, via uric acid/nitric oxide-dependent pathway signifying the health benefits of this agricultural waste and a potential for waste recycling while limiting environmental pollution.

A Population Based Study of Liver Function amongst Adults with Hyperuricemia and Gout in the United States

To examine the association between uric acid levels and liver enzyme functions amongst adults with hyperuricemia and gout in the United States. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2007 to 2016 was used to study the research objective. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and for differences using the t test, Chi-square test and ANOVA. A regression analysis was performed to determine association between demographics and liver enzymes. A p value of <0.05 or <0.001 was considered statistically significant. A total of 14,946 adults (≥20 yrs.) were included in this study. Sample mean age was 49 ± 0.15 yrs., and 54% were female. Overall, 15% adults had elevated uric acid levels (≥6.8 mg/dL), men had significantly higher uric acid levels than women (6 mg/dL vs. 4.8 mg/dL). High uric acid levels were associated with more than two times higher odds of elevated ALT, AST and GGT (p < 0.001). Similarly, gender-based target uric acid values were associated with two-fold increased odds of GGT, over one-and-a-half fold higher odds of ALT and AST (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed significant association between age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and hypertension and ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin and GGT (p < 0.001). Adults with hyperuricemia and gout are most likely to develop liver dysfunctions and suffer associated morbidities. Such patients need to be appropriately monitored and managed for their liver functions and to prevent associated morbidities.

Changing trajectories of serum uric acid and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

It is unclear the role of longitudinal trajectory of serum uric acid (SUA) on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to determine whether longitudinal SUA trajectories are associated with the risk of new-onset NAFLD.

METHODS

We explored the relationship between SUA trajectories and NAFLD in a cohort including 3822 participants. Individual's SUA trajectories from 2012 to 2014 were defined using group-based trajectory modeling analysis in four distinct patterns: trajectory 1 (n = 991, 25.93%), trajectory 2 (n = 1421, 37.18%), trajectory 3 (n = 1156, 30.22%), and trajectory 4 (n = 254, 6.67%). The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between SUA changing trajectories and subsequent NAFLD until 2016. Dose-response relationship between SUA changing trajectories and NAFLD risk was evaluated through the testing of trajectory groups as a continuous variable.

RESULTS

The 2-year incidence of NAFLD was 13.27%. Compared with trajectory 1, the adjusted odds risk for NAFLD development was in a dose-response relationship as follows: 1.27 (95% CI 0.91-1.78) for trajectory 2, 1.89 (95% CI 1.29-2.75) for trajectory 3, and 2.34 (95% CI 1.43-3.83) for trajectory 4. And this dose-response relationship was not affected by age, sex, and abdominal obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher SUA changing trajectory is a risk factor for NAFLD. This finding highlights the importance of paying attention to SUA changing trajectory on the detection and prevention of NAFLD.

Clinical characteristics of patients under 40 years old with early-onset hyperuricaemia: a retrospective monocentric study in China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with early-onset hyperuricaemia (HUC).

METHODS

A retrospective study using data from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University was conducted. 623 patients with HUC were divided into early-onset group and late-onset group. Another 201 healthy subjects ≤40 years old were regarded as control group. The data of physical measurements and biochemistry test were collected. Clinical data of early-onset group were compared with late-onset group and control group by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and χ² test. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied. Logistic regression was used to identify the clinical factors correlated with patients with early-onset HUC.

RESULTS

The patients of early-onset group had different body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatinine (Cr), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), TG/high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio, HDL and percentage of males, hypertension (HBP) as well as fatty liver compared with healthy people in the control group. Early-onset group patients had different albumin, ALT, fasting blood glucose, Cr, percentage of males and HBP compared with late-onset group patients. PCA identified four significant patterns including PC1 (labelled 'TG and HDL'), PC2 (labelled 'fatty liver and liver enzymes'), PC3 (labelled 'TC and LDL') and PC4 (labelled 'AKP'). The results of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, HBP and albumin were correlative factors for early onset of HUC when the patients with early-onset and late-onset HUC were involved, while gender, BMI, PC1, PC2 and PC4 were correlative factors for early-onset HUC when the early-onset and control groups were involved.

CONCLUSION

This study described a group of patients with early-onset HUC with distinct clinical features. Gender, BMI, 'TG and HDL', 'fatty liver and liver enzymes' and 'AKP' have higher values than HBP, type 2 diabetes mellitus and 'TC and LDL' in patients under 40 years old with early-onset HUC.

Sex-Specific Association Between Serum Uric Acid and Elevated Alanine Aminotransferase in a Military Cohort: The CHIEF Study

AIM

The study was conducted in order to examine the sex-specific association of serum uric acid (SUA) levels with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in a Taiwanese military cohort.

METHODS

We made a cross-sectional examination of the sex-specific relationship using 6728 men and 766 women, aged 18-50 years from a large military cohort in Taiwan. SUA levels within the reference range (<7.0 mg/dL for men and <5.7 mg/dL for women respectively) were divided into quartiles and SUA levels greater than the upper reference limits were defined as hyperuricemia. Elevated ALT levels were defined as ≥40 U/L. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between each SUA category and elevated ALT levels in men and women, respectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hyperuricemia and elevated ALT in men were 18.7% and 12.7%, respectively, and in women were 3.3% and 2.1%, respectively. As compared with the lowest SUA quartile, hyperuricemia was associated with elevated ALT in men (odds ratios (OR): 1.62, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.19-2.20) after controlling for age, service specialty, body mass index, metabolic syndrome components, current cigarette smoking, alcohol intake status, and weekly exercise times, but the associations for the other SUA quartiles were null. By contrast, the associations of hyperuricemia (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.10-6.64) and the other SUA quartiles with elevated ALT were null in women.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the relationship between each SUA level and elevated ALT may differ by sex among military young adults. The mechanism for the sex difference requires further investigations.

Serum uric acid and high-risk pregnancy: an intriguing correlation in advanced pregnant women

BACKGROUND

The aim of our study is to explore the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and high-risk pregnancy (HRP) in advanced pregnant women.

METHODS

The study included 226 advanced pregnant women (≥35 years), and the HRP score were assessed according to China HRP score standards.

RESULTS

All data were separated into the three groups according to HRP score, we observed significant increases of serum UA concentrations between the three groups (207.51±42.45; 226.65±45.42 and 228.27±49.70 µmol/L, P=0.017). Notably, serum UA concentrations were found to be positive correlated with HRP score (r=0.165, P=0.013) in advanced pregnant women. Serum UA was independent correlated with HRP score (beta =0.164, P=0.009) in multiple linear regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that serum UA is correlated with HRP score, and increased serum UA levels may herald HRP in advanced pregnant women.

Joint associations of serum uric acid and ALT with NAFLD in elderly men and women: a Chinese cross-sectional study

Background

Epidemiological evidence suggests sex difference in serum uric acid (SUA) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) might be a potential explanation for the gender difference in prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, few epidemiology data in China have tested this hypothesis.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the joint associations between SUA and serum ALT with NAFLD among elderly Chinese men and women.

Results

Among 7569 participants with a mean age of 59.8 years (± 13.4 years), 56.6% of women and 43.4% of men were diagnosed as NAFLD, respectively. A positive association between SUA and NAFLD prevalence was observed in both men and women. NAFLD prevalence was 2.74 times (95% CI 2.00–3.76) higher for men and 4.60 times (95% CI 3.39–6.24) higher for women with the highest quintiles of SUA levels compared to those with the lowest levels. SUA levels were significantly associated with prevalence of mild- and severe-steatosis (P < 0.01). In addition, the ORs of NAFLD among participants with high SUA levels and high serum ALT was 10.75 (95% CI 3.56–32.46) for men and 7.96 (95% CI 2.83–22.39) for women, compared with those with low SUA levels and low serum ALT.

Conclusions

SUA levels were positively associated with NAFLD prevalence, and the association was slightly stronger in women than in men. A significant joint association of SUA and serum ALT with NAFLD prevalence was observed in all participants, which was slightly stronger in men than in women.

Influence of non-pathological factors on ALT measurements

Alanine transaminase (ALT) is still the most sensitive marker for evaluating the damage of liver cells. ALT measurements may be affected by common non-pathological factors such as gender, age, pregnancy, different physiological conditions, circadian rhythm, diet, drinking, smoking, strenuous exercise, metabolic factors, drugs, blood collection methods, and specimen collection, transmission, and preservation. It is important to emphasize the definition of limits of normal ALT and the influence of the above-mentioned non-pathological factors on its test results.

Serum uric acid and the relationship with subclinical organ damage in adults

AIMS

Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) is often present in conditions associated with increased cardiovascular risk yet it is not recognized as a marker of risk. We evaluated whether SUA was associated with evidence of early markers of cardiovascular risk factor including subclinical early organ damage, sympathetic tone and metabolic profile in a healthy population with a high prevalence of obesity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from 281 patients (175 women and 106 men, mean age: 35.5 ± 0.8 years, mean BMI: 33.2 ± 0.5 kg/m) were retrieved from a database. All participants were healthy, nonsmoker and free of medication. Available data included metabolic profile, muscle sympathetic nervous activity (MSNA, microneurography), endothelial function (pulse amplitude tonometry, augmentation index), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and echocardiography.

RESULTS

With participants grouped into sex-adjusted tertiles of SUA, those in the third tertile of SUA had increased waist circumference, worse metabolic profile (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL), elevated MSNA, decreased endothelial function, increased augmentation index and decreased eGFR compared with those in the first tertile of SUA. In multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, BMI and ethnicity, SUA was independently associated with waist circumference, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, augmentation index, MSNA and eGFR, providing a combined adjusted R = 0.599 or 60% of the overall variance.

CONCLUSION

In a healthy population with a high proportion of obesity, SUA is associated with measures of metabolic, end-organ damage and sympathetic tone indicating the potential value of SUA as a marker of early cardiovascular disease development.

Hyperuricaemia and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between hyperuricaemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the leading causes of cirrhosis worldwide, has been demonstrated in recent epidemiological studies. This meta-analysis was conducted to summarize all available data and to estimate the risk of NAFLD among subjects with hyperuricaemia.

METHODS

Comprehensive literature review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE database through August 2016 to identify studies that compared the risk of NAFLD among subjects with hyperuricaemia vs those with normal uric acid level. Effect estimates from individual study were extracted and combined together using random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of NAFLD in subjects with hyperuricaemia was significantly higher than subjects with normal uric acid level with the pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.97 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.69-2.29). The heterogeneity between studies of the overall analysis was high with an I² of 87%. Subgroup analysis based on 11 studies that provided data on males subgroup and nine studies that provided data on females subgroup showed that the risk was significantly increased for both sexes with pooled OR of 1.64 (95% CI, 1.40-1.93) among males and pooled OR of 2.21 (95% CI, 1.85-2.64) among females.

CONCLUSIONS

A significantly increased risk of NAFLD among patients with hyperuricaemia was demonstrated in this meta-analysis. Further studies are required to establish the role of uric acid in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

The independent predictors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and its individual histological features.: Insulin resistance, serum uric acid, metabolic syndrome, alanine aminotransferase and serum total cholesterol are a clue to pathogenesis and candidate targets for treatment

AIM

The diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is based on the individual histological features: steatosis, lobular inflammation and ballooning. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (NAS ≥ 5) is used in clinical trials. Fibrosis dictates long-term NAFLD prognosis. Recently, more-than-mild portal inflammation has raised interest as a marker of NAFLD severity. We assessed the independent predictors of: (I) individual histological lesions of NASH; (II) diagnosis of NASH; (III) significant (stage ≥2) and advanced (stage ≥3) fibrosis; and (IV) more-than-mild portal inflammation.

METHODS

Data from 118 consecutive biopsy-proven NAFLD patients observed at our institution were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

At stepwise multivariate logistic regression analyses, independent predictors were as follows. For the individual histological features of NASH: insulin resistance (IR), assessed with Homeostasis Model Assessment-IR (HOMA-IR), serum uric acid (SUA) and serum total cholesterol (TCH) for moderate-to-severe steatosis; waist circumference (waist), HOMA-IR and TCH for lobular inflammation; waist, HOMA-IR, metabolic syndrome (MS), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), SUA and TCH for ballooning. For NASH diagnosis: waist, HOMA-IR, MS, ALT, SUA and TCH (Brunt et al.'s classification); ALT, SUA and TCH for NAS ≥ 5. For significant and advanced fibrosis, respectively: waist, MS and ALT; age, platelets, HOMA-IR, diabetes and TCH. For more-than-mild portal inflammation: serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum iron, NAS ≥ 5 and significant liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

HOMA-IR, SUA, MS, ALT and TCH are independent predictors of NASH and its individual histological lesions, notably including fibrosis. Based on our findings, these factors should be considered major pathogenic drivers of NASH and, by inference, potential targets for treatment.

Advances in research of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common liver disease worldwide. It is related with increased morbidity and mortality of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its main health implications are increased risks of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular diseases and malignancies. This paper reviews the advances in research of NAFLD in terms of epidemiology, risk factors, assessment of disease progression and risks for combined cardiovascular diseases and/or T2D as well as management.

Association between Serum Uric Acid and Elevated Alanine Aminotransferase in the General Population

Background: Both the serum uric acid (SUA) level and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are related to metabolic syndrome. However, the association between SUA and elevated ALT has not been elucidated in the general population. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between SUA and elevated ALT in the general population of China; Methods: A total of 11,572 adults (≥35 years of age) participated in this survey. Elevated ALT was defined as >40 U/L. SUA ≥ 7.0 mg/dL in males or ≥6.0 mg/dL in females was defined as hyperuricemia. SUA within the reference range was divided into quartiles, and its associations with elevated ALT were evaluated by logistic regressions; Results: A total of 7.4% participants had elevated ALT. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 14.9% in males and 7.3% in females. There was a significantly positive dose-response association between SUA levels and the prevalence of elevated ALT. After adjusting for potential confounders, a positive relationship for elevated ALT was observed in subjects with hyperuricemia (odds ratio [OR]: 2.032, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.443–2.861 for men; OR: 2.045, 95% CI: 1.221–3.425 for women, both p < 0.05). Within the reference range, the association between SUA and elevated ALT persisted in the fourth quartile (OR: 1.467, 95% CI: 1.063–2.025 for men; OR: 1.721, 95% CI: 1.146–2.585 for women, both p < 0.05); Conclusions: Our results indicated that an increased SUA level, even within the reference range, was independently associated with elevated ALT in Chinese adults.

Urine uric acid excretion is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS

Elevated serum uric acid is closely associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the association of urine uric acid excretion (UUAE) with NAFLD has not been investigated. Our aims were to explore the associations between UUAE and NAFLD and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 2042 Chinese inpatients with T2DM. UUAE was determined enzymatically using a single 24-h urine collection. The subjects were stratified into quartile based on UUAE levels. NAFLD was determined by ultrasonography. Elevated ALT level was defined with an ALT value >65U/L.

RESULTS

There was an obvious increase in both NAFLD prevalence (26.3%, 34.6%, 43.8%, and 56.2%, respectively, p<0.001 for trend) and ALT value [16 (12-24), 17 (13-27), 20 (14-30), and 24 (15-38) U/L, respectively, p<0.001 for trend] across the UUAE quartiles after controlling for confounders. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed independent associations between UUAE and NAFLD (p=0.002) and elevated ALT level (p<0.001). Compared with the patients in the first quartile of UUAE, those in the second, third and fourth quartiles had 1.528-, 1.869-, and 1.906-fold risk of NAFLD, and 3.620-, 6.223-, and 10.506-fold risk of elevated ALT level in T2DM, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased UUAE levels were significantly associated with the presence of NAFLD and increase of ALT in T2DM. UUAE may be a clinically significant measure in assessing the risk of NAFLD in T2DM.

Lifestyle changes for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a review of observational studies and intervention trials

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as a major public health problem because of its association with increased cardiovascular and liver-related morbidity and mortality. Both genetic factors and lifestyle contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Lifestyle, including dietary habits and physical activity, is a modifiable risk factor and thus represents the main target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. In this review, we summarize the evidence regarding nutritional aspects (i.e. total energy intake, saturated fat and carbohydrates intake, certain foods or drinks and dietary patterns as a whole) in the treatment of NAFLD. In addition, we analyze the evidence concerning the independent effect of physical activity, including aerobic and resistance training, in the treatment of NAFLD. A therapeutic algorithm according to results from intervention trials is also provided for clinicians and other healthcare professionals involved in the management of NAFLD.