Biochemical Parameters in Obese Egyptian Patients as a Non-Invasive Marker for Disease Screening in Early Diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently been considered as the most public liver problem worldwide and a major clinicopathologic health burden in the developed countries. Biochemical tests are important in verifying a better understanding of many diseases and hence help to have the right decisions for achieving better management.
 AIM: This study was conducted to assess biochemical markers in NAFLD Egyptian patients.
 METHODS: Forty obese subjects (32 females and 8 males, mean age was 42.32 ± 9.12 years) (20 with NAFLD and 20 without NAFLD) and 20 normal participants were selected.
 RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) was 40.86 ± 5.45 in obese FL versus 22.07 ± 2.10 in control, p < 0.001 and versus 35.83 ± 5.94 in obese non-FL, p = 0.003. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 57.30 ± 46.24 in obese FL versus 25.45 ± 7.12 in control, p = 0.003 and versus 27.35 ± 11.09 in obese non-FL, p = 0.005. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (41.40 ± 36.09 in obese FL vs. 21.7 ± 3.81 in control, p = 0.015 and vs. 24.05 ± 7.50 in obese non-FL, p = 0.032). Total bilirubin (T.Bil) (0.62 ± 0.25 in obese FL vs. 0.47 ± 0.15 in control, p = 0.014). Prothrombin time (PT) (86.80 ± 11.32 in obese FL vs. 97.86 ± 4.31 in control, p < 0.001) and International Normalization Ratio (INR) (1.11 ± 0.13 in obese FL vs. 1.01 ± 0.02 in control, p = 0.002). Triglycerides (TGs) (128.20 ± 43.49 in obese FL vs. 88.35 ± 24.26 in control, p < 0.001 and vs. 94.50 ± 31.65 in obese non-FL, p = 0.003). Ferritin (88.21 ± 54.88 in obese FL vs. 47.65 ± 32.07 in obese non-FL, p = 0.006). Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (2.42 ± 1.67 in obese FL vs. 1.20 ± 0.75 in control, p = 0.001). Fasting blood sugar (FBS) (119.70 ± 49.11 in obese FL vs. 84.10 ± 7.19 in control, p < 0.001 and vs. 80.50 ± 8.84 in obese non-FL, p < 0.001) and postprandial (P.P) (152.80 ± 82.86 in obese FL vs. 94.35 ± 3.70 in control, p < 0.001 and vs. 93.35 ± 7.77 in obese non-FL, p < 0.001). Serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was significantly lower in NAFLD patients compared to obese non-FL (40.05 ± 5.81 vs. 41.9 ± 4.85, p < 0.001).
 CONCLUSION: NAFLD is associated with changes in biochemical parameters. Its early assessment can help in modifying the disease course and delaying complications.