The work investigate the role of fetuin-A in the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has recently become one of the most prevalent chronic liver illnesses, is about 25% worldwide. NAFLD is a progressive liver disease that can cause fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis, in contrast to simple hepatic steatosis, which is considered to be a benign condition. The sole way to diagnose NAFLD and stage liver fibrosis has historically been a liver biopsy. There are a number of issues with this method, though. A liver biopsy is a painful and invasive diagnostic procedure that carries a risk of consequences. Fetuin-A, also called the 2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein, belongs to the fetuin group of serum-binding proteins and is largely produced by hepatocytes. It is a phosphorylated glycoprotein. Fetuin-A can cause insulin resistance in the target organs, including the liver and skeletal muscle, as it is an endogenous tyrosine kinase inhibitor. A strong correlation between the level of circulating fetuin-A and the onset and progression of NAFLD has been described by accumulating lines of evidence, but the findings have been contradictory. The investigators want to find out how fetuin-A affects the diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to reveal the relationship between fetuin-A and the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
A convex transducer with a frequency range of 2-5 MHz was used for ultrasound. Based on a visual study of the intensity of the echogenicity and under the assumption that the gain setting is optimal, various (0-3) degrees of steatosis have been proposed. Grade I occurs when the echogenicity is simply increased; grade II occurs when the echogenic liver obscures the echogenic walls of the portal vein branches; and grade III occurs when the echogenic liver obscures the diaphragmatic contour.
Using FibroScan502 (Echosens, Paris, France), liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and CAP were acquired. Before the treatment, all subjects will be instructed to fast for at least 8 hours. The median of 10 measurements served as the LSM score, which was only deemed credible if at least 10 successful acquisitions were made and the IQR-to-median ratio of the 10 acquisitions was below 30%. If 10 successful acquisitions are made, CAP measures were deemed trustworthy and taken into account in the final analysis. CAP graded the degree of hepatic steatosis using the M probe in accordance with standard cut-off values (S1=222-232; S2= 233-289; and S3 290 dB/m).
Zagazig University
Zagazig, Sharqia Province, Egypt
To assess fetuin-A serum concentration
Serum fetuin-A serum concentrations of fetuin-A was measured by using a human fetuin-A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.
Time frame: 30 minutes.
To measure liver stiffness and fibrosis degree
liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and fibrosis degreewere obtained using FibroScan502 (Echosens, Paris, France). The LSM score was represented by the median of 10 measurements and was considered reliable only if at least 10 successful acquisitions were obtained and the IQR-to-median ratio of the 10 acquisitions was ≤30%.
Time frame: 30 minutes
Number of participants with fetuin-A serum concentration and liver stiffness degree using FibroScan
Number of participants with fetuin-A serum concentration and liver stiffness degree using FibroScan
Time frame: 30 minutes
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.