title: Increased selenoprotein p levels in subjects with visceral obesity and nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selenoprotein P (SeP) has recently been reported as a novel hepatokine that regulates insulin resistance and systemic energy metabolism in rodents and humans. We explored the associations among SeP, visceral obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined serum SeP concentrations in subjects with increased visceral fat area (VFA) or liver fat accumulation measured with computed tomography. Our study subjects included 120 nondiabetic individuals selected from participants of the Korean Sarcopenic Obesity Study. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between SeP and cardiometabolic risk factors, including homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), adiponectin values, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with NAFLD showed increased levels of HOMA-IR, hsCRP, VFA, and several components of metabolic syndrome and decreased levels of adiponectin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol than those of controls. Serum SeP levels were positively correlated with VFA, hsCRP, and baPWV and negatively correlated with the liver attenuation index. Not only subjects with visceral obesity but also those with NAFLD exhibited significantly increased SeP levels (P<0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the subjects in the highest SeP tertile showed a higher risk for NAFLD than those in the lowest SeP tertile, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors (odds ratio, 7.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.72 to 32.60; P=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating SeP levels were increased in subjects with NAFLD as well as in those with visceral obesity and may be a novel biomarker for NAFLD.
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hae Yoon
authors: HY
authors: Choi
authors: Soon Young
authors: SY
authors: Hwang
authors: Chang Hee
authors: CH
authors: Lee
authors: Ho Cheol
authors: HC
authors: Hong
authors: Sae Jeong
authors: SJ
authors: Yang
authors: Hye Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Yoo
authors: Ji A
authors: JA
authors: Seo
authors: Sin Gon
authors: SG
authors: Kim
authors: Nan Hee
authors: NH
authors: Kim
authors: Sei Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Baik
authors: Dong Seop
authors: DS
authors: Choi
authors: Kyung Mook
authors: KM
authors: Choi
keywords: Hepatokine; Insulin resistance; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Obesity; Selenoprotein P