Low Hepatic Tissue Copper in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Animal models and studies in adults have demonstrated that copper restriction increases severity of liver injury in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This has not been studied in children. We aimed to determine if lower tissue copper is associated with increased NAFLD severity in children.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of pediatric patients who had a liver biopsy including a hepatic copper quantitation. The primary outcome compared hepatic copper concentration in NAFLD versus non-NAFLD. Secondary outcomes compared hepatic copper levels against steatosis, fibrosis, lobular inflammation, balloon degeneration, and NAFLD activity score (NAS).

Results

The study analysis included 150 pediatric subjects (102 with NAFLD and 48 non-NAFLD). After adju

SUBMITTER: Mendoza M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5492896 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature