Serum Metrnl is Decreased in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Mei Liu,1,* Xiangqian Gao,2,* Yang Tian,1 Huiwei Li,3 Ziqi Yin,1 Lei Han,4 Lei Zhang1 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pathology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Intensive Care Unit, the Fifth People’s Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Reproductive Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Lei Zhang, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Lei Han, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Metrnl is a novel adipokine mainly produced by white adipose tissue, which plays important roles in insulin sensitization, and energy homeostasis. However, information about the function of Metrnl in Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) remains unclear.Methods: This is a control study, which enrolled 176 adults with MAFLD and 176 normal controls. They were matched in body mass index (BMI), age, and sex. Serum Metrnl was determined by ELISA. Other biochemical data were also collected.Results: Compared to the controls, circulating Metrnl was prominently decreased in the MAFLD adults (P< 0.001). Next, binary logistic regression model indicated that sex, waist circumference (WC), triglyceride, γ-gamma glutamyl transferase(γ-GGT), and Metrnl was independently associated with MAFLD. Further, as Metrnl levels elevated across its tertiles, the rate of MAFLD decreased (67.52, 66.95, and 15.38%; P value for trend< 0.001). Data from multivariate logistic regression models evidenced that compared with the lowest tertile of Metrnl, the odds ratio of MAFLD was 0.023(95% CI 0.006– 0.086, P< 0.001) for the highest tertile after adjusting for potential confounders. Besides, area under ROC curve of Metrnl for diagnosis MAFLD was 0.755(95% CI 0.705– 0.805). Metrnl was positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure, WC, BMI, systolic blood pressure, γ-GGT, and Creatinine in MAFLD. Finally, we found systolic blood pressure and Creatinine were independently related to serum Metrnl in MAFLD.Conclusion: Serum Metrnl is reduced in adult with MAFLD. The results suggest that Metrnl may be a protective factor associated with the pathogenesis of MAFLD.Keywords: metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, metrnl, adipokine, adipose tissue

Keywords

• metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
• metrnl
• adipokine
• adipose tissue