Serum C16:1n7/C16:0 ratio as a diagnostic marker for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis

Background and Aims Accurate diagnosis of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is clinically important. Therefore, there is a need for easier ways of diagnosing NASH. In this study, we investigated the serum fatty acid composition and evaluated the possibility of using the serum fatty acid composition as a diagnostic marker of NASH. Methods The subjects were 78 NAFLD patients (non‐alcoholic fatty liver [NAFL]: 30, NASH: 48) and 24 healthy individuals. Fatty acids extracted from the liver tissue and serum were identified and quantified by gas chromatography. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between serum and liver tissue fatty acid composition, patient background, and liver histology. The diagnostic performance of NASH was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC). Results The results of the fatty acid analysis showed the C16:1n7/C16:0 ratio to have the strongest correlation between serum and liver tissue (r = 0.865, P