Serum levels of adiponutrin in differentiating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis from simple steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

Mayuri Shukla; Mamatha Kunder; Prabhakar Kamarthy; Sharath Balakrishna

Mayuri Shukla
Mamatha Kunder Department of Biochemistry, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical college, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka-563101
Prabhakar Kamarthy
Sharath Balakrishna

Keywords: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, Adiponutrin, simple steatosis.

Abstract

Background and aims: Nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease is one of the chronic liver disease, characterized by an unusual accumulation of fats in hepatocytes. It’s a multifactorial disease and the pathogenesis is not completely known. The genetic association is seen, where the Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3(PNPLA3) is the most relevant genetic association. PNPLA3 encodes for a protein called adiponutrin (ADPN), which has triglyceride hydrolase and acyltransferase activity. Hepatic fat accumulation results due to excess lipogenesis or decreased fat export. Liver biopsy is the only gold standard available for differentiating the stages of NAFLD, but it’s an invasive procedure that may lead to potential infections. The study aimed to evaluate serum levels of ADPN in stages of NAFLD.

Material and methods: This is an observational study comprised of 60 NAFLD cases, among which 10 subjects were stage 1 (Simple steatosis) and 50 subjects stage 2 (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-NASH). Blood samples were collected from the subjects and serum ADPN levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The serum levels of ADPN were significantly decreased in NASH as compared to simple steatosis (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: ADPN serum level was inversely associated with the progression of NAFLD.