Laboratory parameters in lean NAFLD: comparison of subjects with lean NAFLD with obese subjects without hepatic steatosis

OBJECTIVE: Search for meaningful laboratory and anthropometric parameters in lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (lean NAFLD) in the general population. Out of 2445 subjects in a random population sample, we compared those who had a body mass index (BMI) < 25 and a fatty liver [lean NAFLD (LN), n = 5] with obese subjects who had a BMI > 30 but no fatty liver [non-NAFLD (NN), n = 27] in a follow-up examination. Ultrasonic, anthropometric and laboratory parameters were collected. RESULTS: There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the LN and the NN groups with respect to serum ferritin (199.2 ± 72.1 LN vs 106.0 ± 89.6 NN), haemoglobin (14.9 ± 0.8 LN vs 13.5 ± 1.2 NN), haematocrit (0.438 ± 0.019 LN vs 0.407 ± 0.035 NN) and Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (34 ± 0.6 LN vs 33.2 ± 0.8 NN). Significantly lower values of soluble transferrin receptor were measured in the LN group (2.8 ± 0.4 LN vs 3.8 ± 1.5 NN). In both groups, the measured HOMA-IR index (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index) (2.3; normal range ≤ 1) was abnormal. Mean cholesterol (6.2 ± 1.4 LN and 5.6 ± 1.1 NN) and low-density lipoprotein levels (3.8 ± 1.0 LN 3.4 ± 0.9 NN) were above the upper limit of normal in both groups, as was the mean triglycerides level in the LN group (2.6 ± 2.0). In summary, there are differences in parameters of iron and fat metabolism between subjects with LN and overweight subjects without fatty liver infiltration. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3212-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.