title: Serum vascular endothelial cadherin and thrombomodulin are markers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is usually based on liver ultrasonography and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. However, the serum ALT level is not sensitive for detecting NAFLD. If more serum markers are available, serum analysis may play a more important role in the diagnosis of NAFLD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we have investigated whether vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cad) and thrombomodulin (TM) are markers of NAFLD in children. After an examination of liver ultrasonography, 90 children were divided into a lean control group (n=32), an overweight/obese NAFLD group (group-NAFLD, n=34) and an overweight/obese non-NAFLD group (group-SOO, n=24).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two overweight/obese groups had similar obesity. However, serum VE-cad and TM levels were increased in group-NAFLD but not group-SOO. When data from all children were pooled, serum VE-cad and TM levels were positively correlated to body-mass index (BMI) and serum ALT levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, VE-cad and TM are markers of pediatric NAFLD.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.forename: Geli
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qingyan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yapu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications*; D011379:Prognosis; D018180:Thrombomodulin / Q000097:blood*; D000099152:Cadherin 5
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D015820:Cadherins; D018180:Thrombomodulin; D000099152:Cadherin 5