Hematocrit Values Predict Carotid Intimal-Media Thickness in Obese Patients With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BackgroundLiterature data suggest with some criticism that full-fledged cardiovascular (CV) events (acute or chronic) are likely predicted by blood components, which are reported to be associated with the presence/severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study was aimed at determining which marker(s) derived from blood count, such as white blood cells, neutrophils, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, hematocrit values were associated with ear or subclinical atherosclerosis, in obese patients of various classes suffering from NAFLD.MethodsOne hundred consecutive obese patients presenting NAFLD at ultrasound, with low prevalence of co-morbidities and no history or instrumental features of CV diseases, underwent carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) assessment by Doppler ultrasonography. All of them were studied taking into account anthropometric parameters, the metabolic profile, and inflammatory markers.ResultsWhite blood cells and neutrophil count showed no statistical association with IMT, which was predicted by the amount of visceral adiposity, as appreciated by ultrasonography. After adjusting for visceral adiposity and smoking status, only age and hematocrit contextually predicted early atherosclerosis, evaluated as IMT. Visceral adiposity was a confounding factor in foreseeing IMT.ConclusionHematocrit values along with the patient’s age suggest an initial atherosclerosis, evaluated as IMT, and if this finding is confirmed in larger cohorts, could be added to other canonical CV risk factors. Inferences can be enhanced by future prospective studies that aim to identify the relationships between incident cardio-metabolic cases and this hematologic parameter.

Higher monocyte count with normal white blood cell count is positively associated with 10-year cardiovascular disease risk determined by Framingham risk score among community-dwelling Korean individuals

“…[22,23] Atherosclerotic plaque initiation, progression, vulnerability, and thrombosis formation are consecutive phenomena involving the interaction of lipoproteins, vascular wall components, blood cells, and the immune system, [24] which are more clearly evident with blood viscosity, especially in early atherosclerosis. [25] WBC count is widely used as an inexpensive, simple biomarker of systemic inflammation. It is an integrated indicator including several WBC subtypes, such as neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, basophils, and eosinophils.…”

A New Light on Vitamin D in Obesity: A Novel Association with Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO)

“…Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol were determined by a direct method (homogeneous enzymatic assay for the direct quantitative determination of LDL and HDL cholesterol). Fasting insulin levels were measured by a solid-phase chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay using commercially available kits (Immunolite Diagnostic Products Co, Los Angeles, CA, USA), as previously reported in several studies [24,25,26,27]. Serum levels of vitamin D (25-OH vitamin D) were measured with chemiluminescence (Liaison, DiaSorin, Saluggia, Italy).…”

Neutrophils and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio: Inflammatory markers associated with intimal-media thickness of atherosclerosis

“…In order to explore accurate diagnosis and therapy, we research the intimal thickness and media thickness separately. Also, lacking of support of primate experiments is a pivotal problem [17][18][19]. What's more, atherosclerosis is a result of a combination of a variety of risk factors, including smoking, drinking, hyperlipidemia, chronic stress, diabetes, and hypertension.…”