title: Predictive value of serum dihomo-γ-linolenic acid level and estimated Δ-5 desaturase activity in patients with hepatic steatosis.
abstract: Hepatic steatosis is considered one of the features of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism is modulated in obesity. However, it has yet to be fully elucidated whether a serum PUFA profile is associated with hepatic steatosis.
  
  
  
  We aimed to clarify the relationship between a serum PUFA profile and liver lipid content.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional study was conducted on 288 patients with dyslipidemia, diabetes, or coronary artery disease on statin therapy. Several PUFAs were measured, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (AA) in serum lipids, and Δ-5 desaturase (D5D) activity was estimated by AA to DGLA ratio. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) measured visceral fat area (VFA) and the ratio of CT attenuation for liver to spleen (L/S).
  
  
  
  The L/S ratio showed significant correlations with serum DGLA level and D5D activity (p<0.0001 for both). Serum DGLA level and D5D activity were significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) or VFA, and with Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (p<0.0001 for all). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that a high DGLA level or low D5D activity was a significant determinant for hepatic steatosis (p<0.0001 for both) independent of BMI and HOMA-IR. ROC analysis revealed that they significantly enhanced the value of MetS-related factors in predicting hepatic steatosis (p<0.05 for both).
  
  
  
  A high DGLA level and low D5D activity in serum lipids may be useful markers predicting hepatic steatosis incrementally to MetS-related conventional factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, 3-1 Aoyamacho, Kure, Hiroshima 737-0023, Japan; Division of Preventive Medicine, Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, 3-1 Aoyamacho, Kure, Hiroshima 737-0023, Japan. Electronic address: morihiro-m@kure-nh.go.jp.
authors.forename: Morihiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, 3-1 Aoyamacho, Kure, Hiroshima 737-0023, Japan. Electronic address: t-kawamt@kure-nh.go.jp.
authors.forename: Toshiharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Kure Medical Center and Chugoku Cancer Center, 3-1 Aoyamacho, Kure, Hiroshima 737-0023, Japan. Electronic address: tamurar@kure-nh.go.jp.
authors.forename: Ritsu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tamura
mesh_terms: D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D012372:ROC Curve
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000090943:Delta-5 Fatty Acid Desaturase; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid
keywords: Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid; Hepatic steatosis; Insulin resistance; Obesity; Δ-5 desaturase