Plasma pentraxin-3 is associated with endothelial dysfunction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) is an acute-phase protein belonging to the PTX family. It has been reported that PTX-3 is significantly associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with atherosclerosis and CVD. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of PTX-3 with circulating markers of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in patients with NAFLD.



Seventy patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and seventy healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), adiponectin, and PTX-3 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) serum levels were measured with the immunoturbidimetric assay. Insulin resistance was estimated using the HOMA-IR index.



PTX-3 and hsCRP levels were higher and adiponectin levels were lower in the NAFLD group compared to the healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all). In correlation analysis, a significant association was observed between PTX-3 and ADMA levels (r = 0.423, p < 0.001).



Our study demonstrated for the first time that increased circulating PTX-3 is strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction in subjects with NAFLD. However, large prospective studies are needed to establish the independent predictive value of PTX-3 for CVD endpoints in this clinically relevant condition.
Department of Gastroenterology, Girne Military Hospital, Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. hgurel55@yahoo.com.
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Gurel
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Genc
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Celebi
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Sertoglu
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Cicek
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Kayadibi
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Ercin
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Dogru
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins