title: Apolipoprotein-AII concentrations are associated with liver steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: It has been shown that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein reduces the activity of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and could lead to steatosis in HCV-infected patients. Experimentally, apolipoprotein-AII (apoAII), which restores triglyceride secretion altered by the HCV core protein, could be protective against HCV steatosis. On the other hand, increasing plasma concentrations of mouse apoAII in transgenic mice produced several aspects of insulin-resistance syndrome, which also is implicated in the pathogenesis of HCV steatosis. This study was designed to investigate the role of apoAII in HCV-related steatosis in humans. Sixty-five hospitalized patients with chronic HCV were included in this study to assess the effects of apoAII, body mass index (BMI), age, insulin sensibility (HOMA), and leptin level on steatosis. Steatosis was observed in 55.3% of patients. Apo-AII was significantly associated with HOMA and with leptin concentrations. In univariate analyses, age, BMI, increased leptin level, increased HOMA, and increased apoAII concentration were associated with steatosis. In multivariate analysis, steatosis was associated with apoAII concentration, age, gender, and BMI. Contrary to previous hypotheses, apoAII is not a protective factor against HCV steatosis but is significantly associated with the development of liver steatosis. The fact that the plasma levels of apoAII correlate with HOMA and leptin levels in HCV-infected patients suggests that apoAII may contribute to hepatic steatosis progression in relationship to visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.
authors: Laboratoire INSERM Unité 498, 21079 Dijon cedex, France. jean-michel.petit@chu-dijon.fr
authors: Jean Michel
authors: JM
authors: Petit
authors: Valerie
authors: V
authors: Jooste
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Duvillard
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Minello
authors: Véronique
authors: V
authors: Texier
authors: Françoise
authors: F
authors: Galland
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Gambert
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Verges
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Hillon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016633:Apolipoprotein A-II / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018450:Disease Progression; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D016633:Apolipoprotein A-II; D015415:Biomarkers