Role of Circulating Ectodysplasin A as a Biomarker in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Abstract Background The liver is a dynamic organ that plays critical roles in many physiological processes, including the regulation of systemic glucose and lipid metabolism. Dysfunctional hepatic lipid metabolism is a cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disorder worldwide, and is closely associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Objective To study serum level of Ectodysplasin A in patients with non-alcoholic Fatty Liver disease (NAFLD) to detect its relation to the incidence and severity of non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Patients and Methods Type of Study: Case-Control clinical study. Study Setting: Internal medicine and hepatology outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University Hospital Study period: this is a 6-month study period starting from July 2020 till January, 2021. Results There was a significant difference in between the two groups regarding to platelet, ALT, AST, GGT and albumin. The mean Ectodysplasin A was 337.54 ± 196.63 (pg/ml) in NAFLD group and 221.43 ± 115.89(pg/ml) in control group with high statistical significant difference in between. There was a significant positive correlation in between Ectodysplasin A and Weight, BMI, WC (cm), FPG, HbA1c and LDL-C in NAFLD group. Conclusion Ectodysplasin A level is elevated in NAFLD patients than in control. Ectodysplasin A level could be used as an inflammatory biomarker for the prognosis of patients NAFLD. Therefore, measurement of Ectodysplasin A level provides a new strategy to more aggressive treatments for high-risk groups.