Low levels of total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin may predict non-alcoholic fatty liver in Korean adults

• Published in: Metabolism, clinical and experimental clinical and experimental, 2020-02, Vol.103, p.154026-154026, Article 154026
• Main Authors: Kim, Young-Sang, Lee, Soo-Hyun, Park, Seung Geon, Won, Bo Youn, Chun, Hyejin, Cho, Doo-Yeoun, Kim, Moon-Jong, Lee, Ji Eun, Haam, Ji-Hee, Han, Kunhee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipokine; Adiponectin; Adiponectin - blood; Adiponectin - chemistry; Adult; Biomarkers - blood; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; High-molecular-weight adiponectin; Humans; Incidence; Leptin; Male; Molecular Weight; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - blood; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - diagnosis; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - epidemiology; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Republic of Korea - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0026-0495; 1532-8600
• DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2019.154026

While weight gain is known as a predictor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) incidence, it remains controversial whether adipokine levels predict the development of NAFLD. We aimed to investigate the relationship of total adiponectin, high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, and leptin with the development and improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) independent of sex and weight change over a maximum of 8.5 years. This prospective study enrolled 2735 participants in a hospital health check-up setting. Adipokine levels were measured at baseline. NAFL was assessed with liver ultrasonography, and the development or improvement of NAFL was determined by repeated ultrasonography at follow-ups. Cross-sectional analyses revealed that total and HMW adiponectin levels were inversely associated with NAFL prevalence. In longitudinal analyses, the incidence of NAFL was 5.6 per 100-person-years during the observation period. The hazard ratios (HRs) per 1 μg/mL increase in the levels of total and HMW adiponectin were 0.900 (0.836–0.969) and 0.846 (0.754–0.948), respectively. Sex-stratified analyses showed that total and HMW adiponectin levels were significantly related to NAFL incidence only in women. In the subgroup of minimal weight change, only HMW adiponectin was a significant predictor for NAFL. Leptin predicted NAFL in the subgroup with weight gain. The improvement of NAFL was influenced by weight change, but not by adipokine levels. Low levels of total and HMW adiponectin may predict the development of NAFL independent of pathophysiological factors including obesity and insulin resistance. This predictability was evident in women. Leptin was a significant predictor for NAFL in the subjects with weight gain. •Low levels of total and HMW adiponectin may predict the development of NAFL.•Sex difference exists in the relationship between adiponectin and NAFL incidence.•Leptin may be a significant predictor for NAFL in the subjects with weight gain.•Weight reduction, but not adipokines, is associated with the improvement of NAFL.