Enhanced A-FABP expression in visceral fat: potential contributor to the progression of NASH.
10.3350/cmh.2012.18.3.279
- Author:
Min Yong YOON
1
;
Jun Mo SUNG
;
Chang Seok SONG
;
Won Young LEE
;
Eun Jung RHEE
;
Jun Ho SHIN
;
Chang Hak YOO
;
Seoung Wan CHAE
;
Ja Yeon KIM
;
Wook JIN
;
Yong Kyun CHO
Author Information
1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. choyk2004.cho@samsung.com
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
NASH;
Adipocyte-fatty-acid-binding protein;
Retinol-binding protein-4;
Visfatin;
PCR;
Western blot
- MeSH:
Adipose Tissue/metabolism/pathology;
Adult;
Aged;
Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins/genetics/*metabolism;
Fatty Liver/metabolism/*pathology;
*Gene Expression Regulation;
Humans;
Intra-Abdominal Fat/*metabolism;
Liver/metabolism/pathology;
Middle Aged;
Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase/genetics/metabolism;
RNA, Messenger/metabolism;
Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma/genetics/metabolism
- From:Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
2012;18(3):279-286
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that secretes various metabolically important substances including adipokines, which represent a link between insulin resistance and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The factors responsible for the progression from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis remain elusive, but adipokine imbalance may play a pivotal role. We evaluated the expressions of adipokines such as visfatin, adipocyte-fatty-acid-binding protein (A-FABP), and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) in serum and tissue. The aim was to discover whether these adipokines are potential predictors of NASH. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction, quantification of mRNA, and Western blots encoding A-FABP, RBP-4, and visfatin were used to study tissue samples from the liver, and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue. The tissue samples were from biopsy specimens obtained from patients with proven NASH who were undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to gallbladder polyps. RESULTS: Patients were classified into two groups: NASH, n=10 and non-NASH, n=20 according to their nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Activity Score. Although serum A-FABP levels did not differ between the two groups, the expressions of A-FABP mRNA and protein in the visceral adipose tissue were significantly higher in NASH group than in non-NASH group (104.34 vs. 97.05, P<0.05, and 190.01 vs. 95.15, P<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the A-FABP protein expression ratio between visceral adipose tissue and liver was higher in NASH group than in non-NASH group (4.38 vs. 1.64, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NASH patients had higher levels of A-FABP expression in their visceral fat compared to non-NASH patients. This differential A-FABP expression may predispose patients to the progressive form of NASH.
