Abstract
Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most frequent chronic liver disease. Because NAFLD is a complex disease, finding highly spesific and sensitive biomarkers for diagnosis is very difficult. We investigated the possible relation between staging of steatosis and fibrosis determined by Fibroscan technique and serum vitamin B12 levels as a non-invasive biomarker in NAFLD patients. Materials and Method: A total of 129 patients (45,68±12,9 years and 29F) with NAFLD and 50 healthy subjects (43,44±15,3 years and 21F) were included in this study. Fibroscan is performed in all patients for staging of the fatty liver fibrosis. Liver enzymes are also analyzed in addition to serum vitamin B12 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Results: There was no difference in terms of age and gender in NAFLD and control groups. The serum alanin aminotransferaz, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase and CRP levels were significantly higher in the NAFLD patients than controls (p<0.05). On the contrary, serum vitamin B12 vitamin levels were lower in patients with NAFLD compared with controls (352,8±125,2pg/mL vs. 435.2±134,4 p<0.01). There was a significant difference in mean serum B12 vitamin levels between controls ( 435.2±134,4pg/mL) and NAFLD patients from F0 to F3 subgroups (366,17±129,7pg/mL, 285,22±101pg/mL, p<0.01). Discussion and Conclusion: The serum vitamin B12 levels were found to be significantly low in patients with NAFLD when compared to the control group. The reduction in serum vitamin B12 levels was even more pronounced as hepatic inflammation and fibrosis increases (F0-F3) but not in advanced fibrosis stage (F4).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
