The relationship between resisitin and ghrelin levels with fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Abstract

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. It is generally accepted that insulin resistance is a pathopysiological factor in the development of NAFLD. In the present study, the aim was to determine the relationship between resistin and ghrelin levels, which were found to be closely related to insulin resistance, and fibrosis scores in NAFLD. Materials and Methods: 40 (21M,19 F) NAFLD patients whose diagnosis was confirmed with biopsy and 40 (18M, 22 F) healthy controls were included in the study  Results: In the comparison of resistin and ghrelin levels, only resistin values were found to be significantly higher in NAFLD group whilst there was no significant difference in ghrelin values (respectively p<0.05; p=0.078). In according to the fibrosis groups there was no difference with regard to fasting plasma glucose, insulin values, HOMA-IR measurements and also resistin and ghrelin levels.Conclusion: It has been understood that insulin resistance plays an important part in NAFLD. Larger studies are required that investigate the gene expression of hormones influencing insulin resistance, particularly resistin and ghrelin in order to determine their role in NAFLD.

Key Words: Resistin; Ghrelin; Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Insulin Resistance