Triglyceride level and soft drink consumption predict nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in nonobese male adolescents

Abstract

Aim Differential metabolic risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in nonobese male adolescents were analyzed examining relationships between NAFLD and clinical parameters of metabolic syndrome, including exercise and soft drink consumption, in male adolescents. Methods In total, 134 male university students (nonobese, n = 78; obese, n = 56) who underwent the first‐year health checkup were divided into the NAFLD and non‐NAFLD groups based on abdominal ultrasonography (AUS) findings. Relationships between NAFLD and metabolic parameters, including body mass index (BMI) and AUS score, were examined in nonobese students. Results Metabolic factors associated with hypertension, abdominal fat, liver damage, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose tolerance were significantly less common in nonobese students than in obese students. The aforementioned factors and soft drink consumption were significantly more common in the NAFLD group than in the non‐NAFLD group. The univariate and multivariate analyses of nonobese students showed that the triglyceride level (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.10, p = 0.001) was higher and soft drink consumption (OR, 36.8; 95% CI, 3.69–368, p < 0.001) was more common in the NAFLD group than the non‐NAFLD group. Conclusions Triglyceride level and soft drink consumption could aid in the detection of NAFLD in nonobese male adolescents. Our findings could provide useful information related to NAFLD and metabolic syndrome in nonobese adolescents.

Dietary characteristics associated with the risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease in non‐obese Japanese participants: A cross‐sectional study

“…It was pointed out in a review that the risk of NAFLD increased by excess energy intake caused by the consumption of high‐fructose corn syrup, which is found in soft drinks 48 . A previous study reported that half of non‐obese NAFLD adolescents regularly consumed soft drinks 17 ; however, we found that approximately 10–20% of middle‐aged and older Japanese people were regular consumers. The changes in soft drink preference with age may be a reason why the independent association between NAFLD and soft drink consumption was not observed in the present study.…”

“…A previous study of non‐obese Korean adults reported that the risk of NAFLD was increased in subjects who ate fast 16 . A study in Japanese non‐obese male adolescents reported that NAFLD was associated with the consumption of soft drinks 17 . Although these results suggest that dietary characteristics are independent risk factors for non‐obese NAFLD, the dietary characteristics that are key features of non‐obese NAFLD remain to be elucidated.…”

“… 16 A study in Japanese non‐obese male adolescents reported that NAFLD was associated with the consumption of soft drinks. 17 Although these results suggest that dietary characteristics are independent risk factors for non‐obese NAFLD, the dietary characteristics that are key features of non‐obese NAFLD remain to be elucidated. Additionally, sex differences in NAFLD have been documented 18 ; however, the relationship between sex and dietary characteristics in non‐obese NAFLD remains to be investigated.…”

Differential peripheral memory T cell subsets sensitively indicate the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

“…45 The FIB-4 index is also powerful for the identification of advanced liver FIB in NAFLD. 7,46 In this study, CD8 þ TEMRA was an independent predictor of these three parameters in moderate-to-severe liver FIB in NAFLD, and CD8 þ TEMRA and LS value were predictors of severe liver FIB. Focused on ROC curves in severe liver FIB, as shown in Figure 3, CD8 þ TEMRA had a higher AUC value than LS value.…”

“…Several noninvasive biomarkers and predictors of NAFLD severity depending on pathological diagnosis have been reported. [5][6][7][8] We previously reported a noninvasive diagnostic method for NASH using PBMCs targeting peripheral immunity 9 ; however, immunologically, noninvasive methods to determine the association between peripheral immunity and NAFLD severity have not yet been reported. In this study, we focused on the differential patterns of peripheral memory T lymphocytes.…”