Serum ferritin is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and decreased Β-cell function in non-diabetic men and women.
AIMS
We sought to determine whether NAFLD is associated with poorer β-cell function and if any β-cell dysfunction is associated with abnormal markers of iron or inflammation.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of 15 non-diabetic adults with NAFLD and 15 non-diabetic age and BMI-matched controls. Insulin sensitivity was measured by isotope-labeled hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps and β-cell function by both oral (OGTT) and intravenous glucose tolerance tests. Liver and abdominal fat composition was evaluated by CT scan. Fasting serum levels of ferritin, transferrin-iron saturation, IL-6, TNFα and hsCRP were measured.


RESULTS
Compared to controls, subjects with NAFLD had lower hepatic and systemic insulin sensitivity and β-cell function was decreased as measured by the oral disposition index. Fasting serum ferritin and transferrin-iron saturation were higher in NAFLD and were positively associated with liver fat. Serum ferritin was negatively associated with β-cell function measured by both oral and intravenous tests, but was not associated with insulin sensitivity. IL-6, TNFα and hsCRP did not differ between groups and did not correlate with serum ferritin, liver fat or measures of β-cell function.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support a potential pathophysiological link between iron metabolism, liver fat and diabetes risk.
['Utzschneider|Kristina M|KM|', 'Largajolli|Anna|A|', 'Bertoldo|Alessandra|A|', 'Marcovina|Santica|S|', 'Nelson|James E|JE|', 'Yeh|Matthew M|MM|', 'Kowdley|Kris V|KV|', 'Kahn|Steven E|SE|']
D000328:Adult D016022:Case-Control Studies D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005234:Fatty Liver D005260:Female D005293:Ferritins D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique D006801:Humans D007333:Insulin Resistance D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Ferritin Fatty liver Insulin sensitivity Insulin secretion in vivo