Serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Introduction: The chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is implicated in chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Hepatic inflammation is one of the main pathogenic mechanisms in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate serum MCP-1 levels and to investigate the relationship between MCP1, visceral fat thickness (VFT) and cardiovascular risk measured by carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) in patients with NASH. Patients and methods: 50 patients with NASH and 30 healthy controls, age and gender matched, were recruited. Lipid profile, liver biochemical markers, serum MCP-1, insulin level, HOMA-IR, VFT and c-IMT were assayed. Results: Patients with NASH had an altered lipid profile and liver biochemical markers; HOMA-IR, VFT, c-IMT and serum MCP-1 levels were significantly higher compared to controls. Also, serum MCP-1 level showed significant positive correlation with waist circumference, body mass index, VFT, HOMA-IR, free cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, aminotransferases, c-IMT and negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that NASH and HOMA-IR were significantly associated with higher levels of serum MCP-1, this relationship being independent of high c-IMT. Conclusion: Serum MCP-1levels was statistically significant higher in patients with NASH than in the control group and to this increase contributes both as visceral adipose tissue as hepatic inflammation. In the same time, in patients with NASH the liver may be as well a targhet and a source of some pro-inflammatory mediators.