Abstract
Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with inefficient macro- and micronutrient metabolism, and alteration of circulating phospholipid compositions defines the signature of NAFLD. This current study aimed to assess the pattern of serum phospholipids in the spectrum of NAFLD, and its related comorbidities and genetic modifications. Methods: 97 patients with diagnosed NAFLD were recruited at a single center during 2013–2016. Based on histological and transient elastography assessment, 69 patients were divided into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) subgroups. 28 patients served as healthy controls. Serum phospholipids were determined by liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: The total content of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin in the serum was significantly increased in NAFL and NASH patients, compared to healthy controls. In addition, serum lysophospatidylethanolamine levels were significantly decreased in NAFL and NASH individuals. Circulating PC species, containing linoleic and α-linolenic acids, were markedly increased in NAFLD patients with hypertension, compared to NAFLD patients without hypertension. The pattern of phospholipids did not differ between NAFLD patients with diabetes and those without diabetes. However, NAFLD patients with hyperglycemia (blood glucose level (BGL) >100 mg/dL) exhibited significantly a higher amount of monounsaturated phosphatidylethanolamine than those with low blood glucose levels. In addition, NAFLD patients with proven GG-genotype of PNPLA3, who were at higher risk for the development of progressive disease with fibrosis, showed lower levels of circulating plasmalogens, especially 16:0, compared to those with CC- and CG-allele. Conclusions: Our extended lipidomic study presents a unique metabolic profile of circulating phospholipids associated with the presence of metabolic risk factors or the genetic background of NAFLD patients.
Highlights
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the western world, and is linked to increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes [1,2].One of the major contributors to this issue is overconsumption with an inefficient metabolism of macro- and micronutrients, affecting immune response and leading to chronic liver disease [3]
The study population included 69 patients, who presented at the Department of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of Heidelberg with the suspected diagnosis of NAFLD. 28 patients served as healthy controls
non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and 34 patients were grouped as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients
Summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the western world, and is linked to increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes [1,2].One of the major contributors to this issue is overconsumption with an inefficient metabolism of macro- and micronutrients, affecting immune response and leading to chronic liver disease [3]. We performed lipidomic profiling in the serum of healthy controls and patients with NAFLD in order to (1) quantify and compare different circulating phospholipid metabolites; (2) to analyze phospholipids in NAFLD-associated metabolic diseases; and to (3). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with inefficient macroand micronutrient metabolism, and alteration of circulating phospholipid compositions defines the signature of NAFLD. This current study aimed to assess the pattern of serum phospholipids in the spectrum of NAFLD, and its related comorbidities and genetic modifications. Results: The total content of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin in the serum was significantly increased in NAFL and NASH patients, compared to healthy controls
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
