Serum adipokine profile in Indian men with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: serum adiponectin is paradoxically decreased in lean vs. obese patients

Abstract

Background: Asian Indians are known to be more insulin resistant for the same degree of weight gain. It is therefore likely that the adipokine profile in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Asian Indian population could be different from the Western subjects. Aims: To study the serum adiponectin, resistin, leptin and TNF-α profile in NAFLD and cryptogenic cirrhosis patients. Subjects and Methods: Body mass indices, insulin resistance and serum adipokine levels were studied in 56 patients; 10 with fatty liver, 30 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and 16 with cryptogenic cirrhosis. Eighteen healthy controls were also included. Results: Patients in general were obese compared to controls (mean BMI 26.9 ± 4.5 vs. 22.6 ± 2.5, respectively, p < 0.0001). In patients with NASH, adiponectin levels were lower than controls (5.4 ± 3 μg/ml vs.7.2 ± 2.9 μg/ml, p = 0.037). Insulin Resistance as assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was higher in obese than lean, NAFLD patients (HOMA IR obese, median = 2.8, range = 0.8-16.3 and lean: median = 1.05, range = 0.51-2.75, p = 0.003). Lean NAFLD patients had adiponectin levels lower than obese patients (3 ± 1 μg/ml vs.6.7 ± 3.8 μg/ml respectively, p = 0.003). Serum resistin levels were higher in NAFLD patients (3.7 ± 3 ng/ml) than controls (2.1 ± 1.7 ng/ml, p = 0.007). This difference was significant even when cirrhotic patients were excluded (3.4 ± 2.7 ng/ml, p = 0.036). Serum leptin levels were raised in cryptogentic cirrhosis compared to NASH (p = 0.03). All adipokines tested were raised in cirrhotic patients compared to NAFLD and controls. Conclusions: A significant reduction in serum adiponectin and increase in serum resistin levels were observed in NAFLD patients, more so in lean than obese NAFLD. This paradoxical decrease of serum adiponectin as well as low frequency of insulin resistance in lean NAFLD suggests a possible different etiology for this subset of patients.