SELENIUM-ASSOCIATED MECHANISMS OF PROGRESSION OF NONALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Cardiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing health concern.
• Hypertension is a common comorbidity in NAFLD patients.
• The interplay between NAFLD, hypertension, and oxidative stress is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of selenium and Selenoprotein P in NAFLD patients with and without hypertension.
• To assess their impact on inflammation and liver function.
• To determine their association with disease progression.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 100 NAFLD patients (49 hypertensive, 51 non-hypertensive) and 20 controls.
• Measurements included liver enzymes (ALT, AST), selenium, Selenoprotein P, IL-8, and IL-10.
• NAFLD and hypertension diagnoses followed established guidelines.

Main Results:

• Elevated ALT and AST levels were observed in patients with steatohepatitis compared to steatosis.
• Increased IL-8 and IL-10 levels were noted in hypertensive NAFLD patients.
• Correlations were found between ALT, selenium, Selenoprotein P, and inflammatory markers in hypertensive NAFLD patients.

Conclusions:

• Hypertension intensifies inflammation and impairs antioxidant defenses in NAFLD, leading to redox imbalance.
• Selenium and Selenoprotein P are implicated in NAFLD progression.
• These factors are important for the diagnosis and treatment strategies in NAFLD.