Natalia Kopiczko1, Anna Bobrus-Chociej2, Ewa Harasim-Symbor3, Eugeniusz Tarasów4, Małgorzata Wojtkowska5, Adrian Chabowski3, Dariusz M Lebensztejn2. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition and Allergology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland. Electronic address: nwasilewska@interia.pl. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition and Allergology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland. 3. Department of Physiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland. 4. Department of Radiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland. 5. Department of Radiology, University Teaching Children's Hospital, Bialystok, Poland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that circulating fatty acids (FAs) take part in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with obesity. The aims of this study were to evaluate the serum FA concentration in this pediatric population. METHODS: The prospective study included 80 children with obesity and suspected liver disease. Patients with viral hepatitis, autoimmune, toxic, and selected metabolic liver diseases were excluded. Criteria for NAFLD diagnosis included liver steatosis in ultrasound as well as elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) serum activity. The total intrahepatic lipid content (TILC) was assessed by magnetic resonance proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Fasting serum FA concentrations were measured in all children using gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: NAFLD was diagnosed in 31 children. Total FA concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in all obese children as well as in obese children with NAFLD compared with controls. In children with NAFLD, a significant, positive correlation was found between total FA concentration and cholesterol (R = 0.47, P < 0.01), triacylglycerols (R = 0.78, P < 0.001), and insulin (R = 0.45, P < 0.011). In a group of children with obesity, TILC correlated positively with saturated FA concentration (R = 0.23, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Data from the present study do support the hypothesis that FAs are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in children with obesity.
OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that circulating fatty acids (FAs) take part in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with obesity. The aims of this study were to evaluate the serum FA concentration in this pediatric population. METHODS: The prospective study included 80 children with obesity and suspected liver disease. Patients with viral hepatitis, autoimmune, toxic, and selected metabolic liver diseases were excluded. Criteria for NAFLD diagnosis included liver steatosis in ultrasound as well as elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) serum activity. The total intrahepatic lipid content (TILC) was assessed by magnetic resonance proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Fasting serum FA concentrations were measured in all children using gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: NAFLD was diagnosed in 31 children. Total FA concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in all obese children as well as in obese children with NAFLD compared with controls. In children with NAFLD, a significant, positive correlation was found between total FA concentration and cholesterol (R = 0.47, P < 0.01), triacylglycerols (R = 0.78, P < 0.001), and insulin (R = 0.45, P < 0.011). In a group of children with obesity, TILC correlated positively with saturated FA concentration (R = 0.23, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Data from the present study do support the hypothesis that FAs are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in children with obesity.