Investigating the correlation between polyunsaturated fatty acids intake and non-invasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis

Abstract

BackgroundPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have potentially beneficial effects on the liver tissue. Noninvasive biomarkers, including imaging techniques and blood-based biomarkers, are important tools for assessing liver fibrosis. This study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary intake of PUFAs and noninvasive biomarkers for liver fibrosis in the general population. MethodsThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018 (NHANES 2017-2018) datasets were used. Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), FIB-8, and Fatty Liver Index (FLI) were calculated for each subject. The fibrosis groups were compared based on their intake of PUFA. The correlation between each score and PUFA intake was calculated. Correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 5087 subjects (50.36% female) with a mean age of 49.37±12.14 were evaluated. The mean of median liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was 5.92±5.20 kilo Pascal (kPa). The mean PUFA intake was reported as 20.2±13.9 gm. Fibrosis (F) grouping revealed that 190 subjects had F3, and 154 F4. HDL had a significant correlation with Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) intake (r = -0.038, p = 0.007). Moreover, AST and ALT had a significant correlation with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake (r = 0.033 and 0.059, p = 0.019 and <0.001, respectively). FIB-4 and FIB-8 had no correlation with PUFA intake. FLI had a significant correlation with DPA acid (r = 0.062, p <0.001). ConclusionA significant correlation between FLI, and PUFA intake suggests that increasing PUFA consumption could have a positive impact on liver health.