Research Article Details

Article ID: A22631
PMID: 24396649
Source: Endocrinol Metab (Seoul)
Title: Tumor Necrosis Factor-α as a Predictor for the Development of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A 4-Year Follow-Up Study.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&#945; is associated with insulin resistance and systemic inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between TNF-&#945; and the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a longitudinal study. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-three apparently healthy subjects (mean age, 40.5&#177;6.1 years; male, 57.6%) without NAFLD were enrolled in 2003. Anthropometric and laboratory measurements were performed. The participants were grouped into tertiles according to their serum TNF-&#945; levels from samples taken in 2003. At a 4-year follow-up, we compared the odds ratios (ORs) of the development of NAFLD according to the tertiles of TNF-&#945; levels measured in 2003. RESULTS: At the 4-year follow-up, the cumulative incidence of NAFLD was 29.2% (106/363). The group that developed NAFLD had higher levels of TNF-&#945; than those in the group without NAFLD (3.65&#177;1.79 pg/mL vs. 3.15&#177;1.78 pg/mL; P=0.016). When the 2003 serum TNF-&#945; levels were categorized into tertiles: incidence of NAFLD observed in 2007 was significantly higher with increasing tertiles (22.6%, 35.8%, and 41.5%, respectively; P<0.05). The risk of developing NAFLD was significantly greater in the highest tertile of TNF-&#945; than in the lowest tertile after adjusting for age, smoking, and BMI (OR, 2.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 4.01; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher serum TNF-&#945; levels in subjects without NAFLD were associated with the development of NAFLD. The results of study might suggest a pathologic role of inflammation in NAFLD.
DOI: 10.3803/EnM.2013.28.1.41