Elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations as a predictor of steatohepatitis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia), cilt.20, sa.9, ss.1448-1455, 2005 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 20 Sayı: 9
- Basım Tarihi: 2005
- Doi Numarası: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03891.x
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1448-1455
- Anahtar Kelimeler: fatty liver, folate, homocysteine, insulin resistance, vitamin B12
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Although steatosis is common in patients with severe hyperhomocysteinemia due to deficiency of cystathionine β-synthase, there are no satisfactory data on homocysteine concentrations in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical significance of plasma homocysteine concentrations in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: Seventy-one non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients, 36 patients with chronic viral hepatitis and 30 healthy persons were enrolled in the study. Homocysteine levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Insulin, folate, vitamin B12 and lipoprotein levels were also determined in all groups. Results: Homocysteine in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease group was found to be significantly higher than other groups. Homocysteine was found to be significantly higher in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis group when compared with simple steatosis group. A positive correlation was found between homocysteine and triglyceride, very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, insulin, and index of insulin resistance in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease group, and a negative correlation was found between homocysteine and folate, or vitamin B12 in all groups. The homocysteine threshold for the prediction of steatohepatitis was 11.935 ng/mL. Furthermore; plasma homocysteine was a statistically significant predictor for severity of necroinflammatory activity in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Conclusions: The plasma homocysteine concentrations were significiantly higher in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, while the concentrations were not affected by chronic viral hepatitis. Plasma homocysteine is a parameter for discriminating steatohepatitis from simple steatosis. Determining the plasma homocysteine concentrations may facilitate selection of steatosis patients in whom a liver biopsy should be performed. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.