Fetuin-A as a Marker of NAFLD

Fetuin-A has been implicated in the causation of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis. There are numerous studies which have shown the association between levels of fetuin-A in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The levels of fetuin-A in newly detected type 2 diabetic patients (NDD) and its correlation with presence of NAFLD has not been studied. Objective: To study the fetuin-A levels in patients with NDD and its correlation with NAFLD. Methods: A total of 60 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (NDD) were studied. Diagnosis of NAFLD was made on the basis of transient elastography. Serum fetuin-A and serum fasting insulin were measured along with other investigations. Results: Percentage of patients with NAFLD in NDD was 53.33%. Fetuin-A levels were significantly higher in NDD with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD. There was no association of fetuin-A with age, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, FBS, HbA1c, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, QUICKI and markers of advanced fibrosis. Fetuin-A levels beyond 1166.5 mcg/ml could predict the development of NAFLD with OR of 4.33 (95%CI:1.364–13.77) which remained significant after adjustment for various confounding factors. Conclusion: Fetuin-A is a reliable marker of NAFLD in NDD and is positively associated with IR. The observation in this study suggests that high serum fetuin-A levels in patients with NAFLD do not merely reflect the effects of insulin resistance, but also a more extensive distortion of liver architecture.