Research Article Details

Article ID: A44934
PMID: 26704864
Source: J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr
Title: Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Predicts Quantity of Hepatic Steatosis Independent of Insulin Resistance and Body Weight.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an acute phase protein strongly associated with cardiovascular disease risk, and adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammation among overweight and obese children with a wide range of hepatic steatosis. METHODS: Plasma PAI-1 levels were measured in a prospectively recruited cohort of 39 overweight or obese children who underwent comprehensive anthropometric assessment and metabolic measurements. Hepatic steatosis was quantified using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and participants were divided into 3 groups based on whether they had normal hepatic steatosis (<5%), low hepatic steatosis (&#8805;5%-10%), and high hepatic steatosis (>10%). RESULTS: Plasma PAI-1 levels significantly increased across the severity of hepatic steatosis in overweight and obese children, and this association was independent of body mass index z score, visceral fat, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers (P&#8202;<&#8202;0.05). CONCLUSION: Hepatic steatosis in children is positively associated with circulating levels of PAI-1 independent of body mass index, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential role of PAI-1 as a therapeutic target in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001096