Abstract
The available data on the association between micronutrients in the blood and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited. To investigate the clinical implications of this relationship, we sought to identify the difference in the serum levels of vitamins A and E according to NAFLD status using data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In this cross-sectional study of the Korean population, NAFLD and its severity were defined using prediction models. Differences in the prevalence and severity of NAFLD were analyzed according to serum retinol (vitamin A) and alpha (α)-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels. Serum levels of retinol and α-tocopherol were positively correlated with the prevalence of NAFLD. In most prediction models of the NAFLD subjects, serum retinol deficiency was significantly correlated with advanced fibrosis, while serum α-tocopherol levels did not differ between individuals with or without advanced fibrosis. Similar trends were also noted with cholesterol-adjusted levels of α-tocopherol. In summary, while circulating concentrations of retinol and α-tocopherol were positively associated with the presence of NAFLD, advanced liver fibrosis was only correlated with serum retinol levels. Our findings could provide insight into NAFLD patient care at a micronutrient level.
Highlights
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver-related disorder globally
NAFLD varies from simple hepatic steatosis without inflammation or fibrosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [2]
There were no significant differences in the proportion who exercised regularly or in the daily dietary intake of vitamin A
Summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver-related disorder globally. It is currently present in approximately 25% of the world’s population, and this figure continues to rise due to the increased prevalence of obesity and the aging population [1]. NAFLD varies from simple hepatic steatosis without inflammation or fibrosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [2]. To meet the practical need for noninvasive but accurate methods to diagnose NAFLD and predict the risk of NASH, numerous studies have investigated prediction models using single or combined biochemical and/or anthropometric parameters [3,4,5,6,7,8]. Various hepatic steatosis formulae for the diagnosis of NAFLD have proven comparable to standard ultrasonography in multiple cohorts [5,9,10,11], and a recent metaanalysis reported acceptable performance of the simple biological scoring systems, including the BMI-AST/ALT Ratio-Diabetes (BARD) score and the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, when compared to transient elastography in the detection of advanced fibrosis [12,13,14,15]
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 call
