Research Article Details
Article ID: | A26931 |
PMID: | 19525859 |
Source: | J Clin Gastroenterol |
Title: | Serum retinol-binding protein 4 levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the most common forms of chronic liver disease, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Recent studies suggest serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of IR. The aims of this study were to determine serum RBP4 levels in patients with biopsy proven NAFLD, and to correlate these levels with the metabolic profile and histologic features in this population. METHODS: Our cohort consisted of 51 consecutive patients undergoing liver biopsy for clinical suspicion of NAFLD. Patients were subsequently divided into 3 groups: simple steatosis (n=16), borderline nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (n=2) and NASH (n=33). The stage of fibrosis was measured using a 4-point scale. RBP4 was measured in triplicates by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The degree of insulin resistance was determined by the homeostatic model assessment. RESULTS: Serum RBP4 levels did not correlate with body mass index, homeostatic model assessment, fasting glucose, or insulin levels in patients with simple steatosis and NASH. Moreover, RBP4 levels were lower in patients with NASH compared with those with simple steatosis (21.3 and 26.8 mg/L, respectively) although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.21). A stepwise decrease in RBP4 levels from patients without fibrosis (27.9 mg/L) to patients with cirrhosis (14.1 mg/L) was noted (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that in adult patients with NAFLD, serum RBP4 levels do not correlate with body mass index or insulin resistance and identifies a novel association between serum RBP4 levels and hepatocellular injury in these patients. |
DOI: | 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181a0998d |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |