title: Osteoprotegerin levels are associated with liver fat and liver markers in dysmetabolic adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the association between visceral adipose tissue (VAT), liver fat (LF) content, and other markers of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in dysmetabolic adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects from the NUMEVOX cohort were included if they fulfilled at least one MetS criterion. They then underwent a thorough metabolic and cardiovascular evaluation, including arterial stiffness, atherosclerotic plaques, homoeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indices and OPG. VAT and LF content were measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound examination of arteries and arterial stiffness were recorded, and age- and gender-adjusted paired correlations calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body mass index, waist circumference and MRI-derived VAT correlated with OPG, whereas abdominal subcutaneous fat did not. OPG levels were strongly correlated with LF content (r=0.25, P=0.003), liver markers such as alanine aminotransferase (r=0.39, P<0.001) and HOMA-IR index (r=0.39, P<0.0001). Plasma OPG also correlated with arterial stiffness and the number of atherosclerotic sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma OPG levels are positively associated with both liver markers and increased LF content, but not with subcutaneous fat in dysmetabolic men. These findings suggest that elevated OPG levels may play a role in the link between fatty liver disease and enhanced cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, CHU Tours, 2, boulevard Tonnellé, Tours, France. Electronic address: mathilde.monseu@ens-lyon.org.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monseu
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetology, CHU, Angers, France. Electronic address: sedubois@chu-angers.fr.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatology, CHU, Angers, France. Electronic address: jeboursier@chu-angers.fr.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boursier
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, CHU, Angers, France. Electronic address: chaube@chu-angers.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aubé
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, CHU, Angers, France. Electronic address: frgagnadoux@chu-angers.fr.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gagnadoux
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Explorations, CHU, Angers, France. Electronic address: geleftheriotis@chu-angers.fr.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lefthériotis
authors.affiliation: Inserm UMR1069, "Nutrition, Growth and Cancer", CHRU Bretonneau, University of Tours, 37044 Tours, France. Electronic address: ph.ducluzeau@chu-tours.fr.
authors.forename: P-H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Ducluzeau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053244:Osteoprotegerin
keywords: Insulin resistance; Liver steatosis; Metabolic syndrome; Osteoprotegerin; Vascular complications