Decreased Serum zinc, selenium, and vitamin E as possible risk factors of hepatic fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Backgrounds The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been significantly growing in recent years. Although the pathophysiology of fibrosis progression in NAFLD is not yet known, oxidative stress and inflammation have been known to have a major role in the development of NASH. Understanding the impact of micronutrients in NAFLD could potentially help us better understand NAFLD pathogenesis. Aims Assessing the serum levels of Zn, Se, and Vitamin E and their relation to the development of hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD patients. Methods This study included 80 NAFLD patients and 40 healthy controls. All of the patients were subjected to abdominal ultrasound and FibroScan examination (to estimate hepatic fibrosis and steatosis degree), and the serum levels of Zn, Se, and vitamin E were evaluated. Results A statistically significant difference in the serum levels of Zn and Se was observed between the NAFLD group and the control group (P-value = 0.04 and 0.05, respectively). The serum levels of Zn and Se were independently related to the presence of hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD. However, serum vitamin E was not related to the severity of NAFLD. Furthermore, no significant difference in the levels of Zn, Se, and vitamin E was observed between the different groups of NAFLD patients categorized according to the degree of steatosis and the control group. Conclusions Reduced serum levels of Zn and Se can be considered a possible risk factor for hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD. Deficiency in these micronutrients could play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.

Association between the composite dietary antioxidant index and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in adults: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2017–2020

“…Our study didn't reveal any correlation between trace elements zinc and selenium and metabolic-related markers, while another study suggested that reduced serum zinc and selenium levels could potentially serve as risk factors for hepatic fibrosis in NAFLD 64 , and more extensive population-based studies are still needed to validate this conclusion in the future. Although numerous studies have been conducted to explore the link between individual dietary antioxidants and NAFLD, it is important to consider that our diet typically consists of a variety of antioxidants.…”

Exploring the interactions between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and micronutrients: from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications

“…The risk of zinc deficiency increases with age ( 104 ). There is growing evidence linking zinc deficiency to the development of MAFLD ( 105 , 106 ). In patients with biopsy-proven MAFLD, a J-shaped correlation exists between serum zinc levels and the severity of hepatic necroinflammation ( 107 , 108 ).…”