A Feasibility Study On Adiponectin To Leptin Ratio For Severity Of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

AIM:The aim of present study was to evaluate the significance of the ratio of adiponectin to leptin (A/L) in serum used for the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by studying the relationship between the serum ratio of A/L and the serum IR in patients with NAFLD. Methods:78 patients with NAFLD were divided into two groups determined by the abdominal ultrasound. The mild group of NAFLD (n=31, mean age 50±14, male/female 19:12) and the moderate-severe group of NAFLD (n=47, mean age 49±14, male/female 27:20).Normal control group(n= 30, mean age 48±10, male/female 18:12) were the healthy volunteers. The serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured by ELISA. The body mass index (BMI), alumina-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (CHO), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FIN), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistan ce (HOMA-IR) were detected at the same time. Results:(1)The level of serum leptin were positiv ely correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.296, p=0.000), LDL (r=0.327, p=0.000) and BMI (r=0.282, p=0.001). (2) The level of serum adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (r=-0.375, p=0.000), LDL (r=-0.368, p=0.000) and BMI (r=-0.285, p=0.001). (3) The ratio of A/L were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.398, p=0.000),LDL (r=-0.374, p=0.000) and BMI (r=-0.307, p=0.000). The coefficient correlation of A/L ratio were significant lower in the mild group NAFLD (r=-0.311) compared with the moderate-severe group NAFLD (r=-0.486). (4) Coincidence rate of examination of A/L,HOMA-IR,BMI,LDL separately with the abdominal ultrasound was 68%,59%,52%,48% in the mild group of NAFLD and was 72%,61%,56%,52% in the moderate-severe group of NAFLD. Conclusions:There is strong relationship between the ratio of A/L and HOMA-IR in patients with NAFLD. The results of this study suggest that the serum A/L level might be a promising and noninvasive approach marker for detecting the severity of NAFLD used in clinical.