High ghrelin and obestatin levels and low risk of developing fatty liver

Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It was recently reported that the ratio between levels of ghrelin and obestatin is also associated with obesity and insulin resistance. We investigated the association between the ghrelin/obestatin ratio and NAFLD.

This cross-sectional study included 98 subjects (51 NAFLD patients and 47 controls). Anthropometric, metabolic and biochemical variables were measured and serum concentrations of ghrelin and obestatin were determined. Logistic regression analyses (univariate and multivariate) were conducted to determine whether NAFLD was associated with ghrelin and obestatin levels and the ghrelin/obestatin ratio.

We studied 51 NAFLD cases and 47 controls. Men comprised 82% of cases and 61% of controls. The mean ages of the groups differed significantly. Body mass index (P < 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001) and WHR (P < 0.001) were significantly greater in the NAFLD group than in the control group. The NAFLD group had higher mean fasting glucose level (P = 0.001), HOMA-IR index (P < 0.001) and triglyceride level (P < 0.001) than the controls. Ghrelin and obestatin concentrations were classed according to tertiles. Multivariate analysis revealed a negative correlation between ghrelin and obestatin levels and an overweight status, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Ghrelin and obestatin were evaluated in multivariate logistic regression analysis, they had a protective effect against hepatic steatosis after controlling for potential confounders.

Serum ghrelin and obestatin concentrations are correlated with a low risk of developing NAFLD. However, ghrelin/obestatin ratio was not correlated with NAFLD.