Helicobacter pylori infection is not an independent risk factor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in China

Weijun Wang,Yurui Zhang,Mengke Fan,Rong Lin,Sanping Xu,Rui Gong,Junchao Zeng

doi:10.1186/s12876-022-02148-6

Weijun Wang, Yurui Zhang + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-022-02148-6

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Abstract

BackgroundThe role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains controversial. The exact relationship requires further investigation. This study aimed to determine the association between them in China.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 71,633 participants who underwent physical examinations. 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) was conducted to detect H. pylori infection, and ultrasonography was used to detect NAFLD.ResultsBody mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), and triglyceride (TG) levels were higher in participants with H. pylori infection than in those without H. pylori infection. While the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) for participants with H. pylori infection was lower than without H. pylori infection (P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors (age, sex, BMI, BP, Scr, BUN, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, FBG and HbA1c), multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that there was no independent relationship between them (P = 0.574). Subgroup analysis (stratified by sex, age, BMI, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia) showed that H. pylori infection was not included as an independent risk factor for NAFLD. Moreover, the different grades of NAFLD were not related to H. pylori infection.ConclusionsThese results indicate that H. pylori infection is not an independent risk factor for NAFLD in China.

Highlights

The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains controversial
Wang et al BMC Gastroenterology (2022) 22:81 experiments suggest that intestinal dysbiosis or Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection may lead to the occurrence and development of NAFLD [8]
A previous study reported that H. pylori infection may lead to gastrointestinal flora dysbiosis, increase the levels of inflammatory cytokines, promote insulin resistance, and accelerate fatty deposits in the liver tissue, which contribute to NAFLD [12]

Summary

Introduction

The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains controversial. H. pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric epithelium [9]. It is a key element of the human microbiome. Current evidence is not definitive, chronic H. pylori infection has been demonstrated to be related to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), gastrointestinal cancers, and extra-digestive tract diseases, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematological, ophthalmic, skin, neurological, and metabolic diseases [10, 11]. A previous study reported that H. pylori infection may lead to gastrointestinal flora dysbiosis, increase the levels of inflammatory cytokines, promote insulin resistance, and accelerate fatty deposits in the liver tissue, which contribute to NAFLD [12]

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