Serum levels of interleukin-1 beta associate better with severity of simple steatosis than liver function tests in morbidly obese patients.
Background
In high-fat diet-fed mice, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) has been shown to play a key role in hepatic steatosis. However, it remains unknown whether IL-1 beta could be associated with different grades of steatosis in obese humans.


Materials and Methods
Morbidly obese patients (n = 124) aged 18-65 years were divided into four groups: no steatosis (controls), mild steatosis, moderate steatosis, and severe steatosis using abdominal ultrasound. IL-1 beta serum levels and liver function tests were measured and significant differences were estimated by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test.


Results
IL-1 beta serum levels significantly increased in morbidly obese patients with mild (11.38 ± 2.40 pg/ml), moderate (16.72 ± 2.47 pg/ml), and severe steatosis (23.29 ± 5.2 pg/ml) as compared to controls (7.78 ± 2.26 pg/ml). Liver function tests did not significantly change among different grades of steatosis.


Conclusion
IL-1 beta serum levels associate better with steatosis degree than liver function tests in morbidly obese population.
['Palomera|Leon F|LF|', 'Gómez-Arauz|Angélica Y|AY|', 'Villanueva-Ortega|Eréndira|E|', 'Meléndez-Mier|Guillermo|G|', 'Islas-Andrade|Sergio A|SA|', 'Escobedo|Galileo|G|']
interleukin-1 beta liver functions tests obesity Fatty liver morbid