Triglyceride and Glucose Index as a Screening Tool for Nonalcoholic Liver Disease in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is regarded as a component of metabolic syndrome, which involves insulin resistance (IR) as the primary physiopathological event. The aim of this study was to establish the association between IR, assessed using the triglyceride and glucose index (TyG), and histopathological features of NAFLD lesions. Methods: The study included 113 patients with metabolic syndrome. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting lipid profiles and liver enzymes were measured. IR was assessed by the TyG index. Liver biopsy was performed for assessment steatosis and fibrosis. Results: the TyG index had a mean value of 8.93 ± 1.45, with a higher value in the patients with overweight (p = 0.002) and obesity (p = 0.004) characteristics than in the patients with normal weight. The TyG index mean value was 8.78 ± 0.65 in subjects without NASH, 8.91 ± 0.57 in patients with borderline NASH and 9.13 ± 0.55 in patients with definite NASH. A significant difference was found between subjects without NASH and the ones with definite NASH (p = 0.004), as well as in patients with early fibrosis vs. those with significant fibrosis. The analysis of the area under the ROC curve proved that the TyG index is a predictor of NASH (p = 0.043). Conclusion: the TyG index is a facile tool that can be used to identify individuals at risk for NAFLD.

Triglyceride glucose index is associated with obstructive coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients

“…Triglyceride glucose index (TyG), which is calculated from fasting glucose and triglycerides, has been regarded as an inexpensive surrogate of insulin resistance (IR) in the setting of clinical practice, and even shows better performance compared with the traditional homeostasis model (HOMA-IR) in evaluating IR [3,4]. Accumulated evidence has revealed that the TyG index is closely related to cardiovascular diseases, including carotid atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, subclinical atherosclerosis, and coronary artery calcification [5][6][7][8]. Furthermore, an increased TyG index not only is associated with the incidence of atherosclerotic disease but also can predict adverse outcomes in patients with established CAD [9,10].…”

A Study of Biomarkers Associated with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Another study published in 2022, analyzing NAFLD defined by liver biopsy in patients with metabolic syndrome, reported a total frequency of liver steatosis of 92.03%, ranging from 71.43% in patients with metabolic syndrome who had a normal weight to 91.84% in overweight patients, to 100% in patients with obesity [ 40 ]. Interestingly, in our research, anthropometric parameters were associated with MAFLD only in females.…”

Diagnostic Value of Non-invasive Liver Function Tests in Liver Fibrosis and Changes in These Parameters Post-metabolic Surgery

“…Furthermore, triglyceride accumulation, as a hallmark of NAFLD, may be one predictor of the development of NAFLD in later life [13,14]. In response to hepatocellular damage, there is a proportional release of ALT into the circulation, which is thought to be a sensitive marker of liver injury and disease progression.…”