| Objective:To investigate the expression of tight junction (TJ)proteins including Zonula occludens-1(ZO-1), Occludin and Claudin-1in intestinal epithelial cells in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and study its potential association with the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Methods:Twenty-eight NAFLD patients with elevated transaminase,30NAFLD patients with normal transaminase and34healthy volunteers were enrolled. Their biochemical characters were measured and the expression of ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1proteins in intestinal epithelial cells was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis and its relationships with transaminase levels was also discussed. Results:Significant differences were observed on the levels of BMI, TC, TG, FPG, ALT, AST among three groups. The levels of BMI, TC, TG, FPG, AST, ALT in NAFLD patients with elevated transaminase were significantly higher than NAFLD patients with normal transaminase and the latter ones were higher than the volunteers. The expression of ZO-1and Occludin were significantly different among the three groups (X2=14.210, P<0.01;X2=20.543,P<0.01. From NAFLD patients with elevated transaminase, NAFLD patients with normal transaminase to the healthy volunteers,the expression of ZO-1and Occludin were both decreasing gradually (rs=0.386,P<0.01;rs=0.449, P<0.01).In NAFLD patients,the levels of the expression of ZO-1and Occludin were negatively correlated with the transaminase level (rs=-0.426,P<0.01;rs=-0.597, P<0.01). The expression of Claudin-1was found among all the three groups but no statistical significance was observed among three groups (X2=0.686,P=0.953. Conclusion:The expression of TJ proteins in intestinal epithelial cells are closely related with the occurrence and development of NAFLD. The contribution of different tight junction protein varies in maintaining barrier function. Maintaining gut barrier function may become the new target for the prevention and cure of NAFLD. |
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