The correlation of serum adipocytokine level with liver lipid concentration in proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children and adolescents with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease – preliminary report

Introduction: Adipocytokines, peptide hormones produced by adipose tissue, are known to have a crucial role in pathogenesis of obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver.
Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate liver steatosis in ultrasound and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in children and adolescents with NAFLD and to establish correlations between serum level of chosen adipocytokines and liver lipid concentration in 1H MRS.
Material and methods: The prospective study was carried out on 14 patients aged 9–17 years with simple obesity (BMI >97th percentile) with ultrasonographically diagnosed NAFLD (steatosis grade evaluated according to Saverymuttu et al.). Other causes of liver steatosis were excluded in all children. Fasting serum levels of adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin, resistin) were determined (ELISA, R&D Systems, USA). 1H MRS spectroscopy was performed with a 1.5 T MR scanner and with the PRESS sequence. In the spectrum analysis signals of lipid groups were assessed.
Results: The serum leptin concentration was significantly higher and adiponectin lower in patients with NAFLD compared to controls. Significant negative correlations were found between serum adiponectin level and ultrasonographic grade of liver steatosis and lipid content measured in 1H MRS. The total lipid concentration measured in 1H MRS also correlated with aminotransferase activity and concentration of triglycerides.
Conclusion: The correlation between serum adiponectin level and ultrasonographic grade of liver steatosis and lipid content measured in 1H MRS suggests a significant role of this adipocytokine in pathogenesis of NAFLD.