Activin A and follistatin in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

There are limited data on the role of activin A and its binding protein, follistatin, in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The main aim was the evaluation of serum activin A and follistatin levels in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD vs.

Methods

This was a case-control study. Fifteen patients with nonalcoholic simple steatosis (SS), 16 with steatohepatitis (NASH), and 52 (24 lean and 28 obese) controls were recruited. Activin A and follistatin were measured using ELISA.

Results

Activin A levels showed a trend towards progressive increase (p=0.010) from the controls (lean: 356±25, 95% CI 305-408; obese 360±20, 95% CI 320-401pg/ml) to SS (407±28, 95% CI 347-466pg/ml) and NASH patients (514±70 95% CI 364-664pg/ml); this association became non-significan

SUBMITTER: Polyzos SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5022788 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature