Abstract
Background: Several studies have suggested that oxidative stress could play a role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and more precisely in the transition between simple fatty liver and steatohepatitis. Aim: This study aims to investigate if circulating levels of oxidative stress markers could be clinically associated with liver steatosis. Materials and methods: We present data obtained from a subsample of 70 subjects with liver steatosis enrolled by a nutritional trial, called NUTRIEPA study. Serum levels of oxidative stress markers were evaluated by ELISA assay. The diagnosis and the degree of liver steatosis were based on laboratory and ecographic measurements. Statistical methods included Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and, Wilcoxon signed-rank or Mann-Whitney test, where appropriate. The χ2 test has been performed to analyze categorical variables. Results: The subjects with severe or moderate steatosis had significantly higher serum levels of oxidative stress markers compared to subjects without steatosis. Conclusions: Increased serum levels of oxidative stress markers could be considered a marker of moderate and severe liver steatosis.
Highlights
Liver steatosis is characterized by an excess accumulation of triglycerides within hepatocytes
Liver steatosis is frequent in patients with metabolic syndrome and accumulating evidences suggest that lipid metabolism is as important to diabetes as carbohydrate metabolism [5]
High serum levels of Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) have been detected in patients with chronic hepatitis viral infections and circulating FAS concentration correlated with the degree of liver steatosis [6,7]
Summary
Liver steatosis is characterized by an excess accumulation of triglycerides within hepatocytes. Excess hepatic fat accumulation could result from the following mechanisms: a) increased de novo fatty acid synthesis; b) decreased fatty acid oxidation; c) increased transport of fatty acids from the peripheral organs to the liver; d) blunted transport of fatty acids (triglycerides) from the liver to the general circulation and peripheral organs [1]. Steatosis is reversible and it has been considered as a benign condition for a long time; increasing evidence suggests that it is a potentially pathological condition. Considering its potential clinical relevance, researchers were prompted to discern the underlying mechanisms of steatosis. Liver steatosis is frequent in patients with metabolic syndrome and accumulating evidences suggest that lipid metabolism is as important to diabetes as carbohydrate metabolism [5]. Several studies have suggested that oxidative stress could play a role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and more precisely in the transition between simple fatty liver and steatohepatitis
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