Correlation of Serum Adiponectin with Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder characterized by excessive triglyceride accumulation in the hepatocytes. NAFLD describes a spectrum of clinicopathological changes extending from simple steatosis through non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to fibrosis. Aim of the study was to assess the correlation of serum adiponectin with severity of NAFLD.

Methods: It was an observational, cross sectional study. Fifty patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of NAFLD were included in the study; they were studied with liver histology and serum adiponectin level. Correlation of serum adiponectin with non- NASH, NASH and stages of liver fibrosis was analyzed.

Result: Mean age was 38.0±9.4 years with range from 20 to 59 years with female predominance (62%). Serum adiponectin level was 9.09±3.68 microgram/mL in patients with non-NASH(n=17), and it was 4.90±2.34 microgram/mL in those with NASH(n=33). Serum adiponectin was 6.57±3.84 microgram/mL in 38 patients with fibrosis score 1; it was 5.51±1.84 microgram/mL in 10 patients with fibrosis score 2; and it was 5.59±1.08 microgram/mL in 2 patients with fibrosis score 3.

Conclusion: Serum adiponectin level decreased in patients with NASH than in patients not having NASH, and it is also reduced in patients with advanced hepatic fibrosis.

Keywords: NAFLD; NAS; Adiponectin; NASH