Mean platelet volume and its relationship with carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
BACKGROUND
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet activation, is an emerging risk factor for atherothrombosis.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of MPV in subjects with NAFLD having no confounding factors for atherosclerosis such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. In addition, the possible relationship between MPV and carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT), a well known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, was also studied.


METHODS
MPV and CIMT levels were measured in 60 biopsy-proven NAFLD subjects and 54 healthy controls. Age and sex were similar between two groups.


RESULTS
Body mass index and waist circumference levels were higher in the NAFLD group when compared to the controls. There were no differences between the two groups regarding LDL cholesterol levels, whereas HDL cholesterol levels were lower in the NAFLD group. MPV and CIMT levels were not different between the two groups. According to the correlation analyses, CIMT levels were positively correlated to age in patients with NAFLD. However, no significant correlation was found between MPV and CIMT levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study do not show any difference in MPV levels between subjects with NAFLD and controls. These finding suggests that in the absence of other metabolic risk factors, MPV might not be involved in the mechanism(s) of increased cardiovascular risk in NAFLD.
Kilciler
Guldem
G
Department of Gastroenterology, Gulhane School of Medicine, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
Genc
Halil
H
Tapan
Serkan
S
Ors
Fatih
F
Kara
Muammer
M
Karadurmus
Nuri
N
Ercin
C Nuri
CN
Karslioglu
Yildirim
Y
Kilic
Selim
S
Bagci
Sait
S
Erbil
M Kemal
MK
Dogru
Teoman
T
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D015539:Platelet Activation; D012306:Risk; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology
D007328:Insulin