Objective: Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a soluble member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, is a decoy receptor for the receptor activator of nucleus factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). OPG has an effect on systemic insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Materials/methods: A case-control study was performed with 746 patients with type 2 diabetes. Of the study population, 367 patients had B-mode ultrasound-proven NAFLD and 379 were controls. The plasma OPG levels were measured using ELISA methods. NAFLD was diagnosed by hepatic ultrasound after the exclusion of alcohol abuse and other liver diseases.
Results: The OPG levels were significantly decreased in patients with NAFLD (2.3±1.1μg/L vs. 2.8±1.3μg/L, p=3.75×10(5)) compared to controls. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the OPG levels were associated with age and systolic blood pressure (both p<0.05). The participants in the lowest OPG quartile had a significantly increased risk for NAFLD (OR=3.49, 95% CI 1.86-6.94) after adjusting for potential cofounders.
Conclusions: The plasma OPG level is negatively associated with NAFLD independent of potential cofounders.
Keywords: Insulin resistance; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Osteoprotegerin; Type 2 diabetes.
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