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Published on: August 30, 2016
Apelin and the gut microbiome: Potential interaction in human MASLD
Maria Effenberger1, Christoph Grander1, Bela Hausmann2
1Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Background:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease with increasing numbers worldwide. Adipokines like apelin (APLN) can act as key players in the complex pathophysiology of MASLD.
Aims:
Investigating the role of APLN in MASLD.
Methods:
Fecal and blood samples were collected in a MASLD cohort and healthy controls (HC). MASLD patients with liver fibrosis and MASLD-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were included into the study. Systemic concentration of Apelin, Apelin receptor (APLNR) and circulating cytokines were measured in serum samples.
Results:
Apelin concentration correlated with the Fib-4 score and was elevated in MASLD patients (mild fibrosis, mF (Fib-4 <3.25) and severe fibrosis, sF (Fib-4 >3.25)) as well as in MASLD-associated HCC patients compared to HC. In accordance APLNR and circulating cytokines were also elevated in mF and sF. In contrast apelin levels were negatively associated with liver survival at three and five years. Changes in taxa composition at phylum level showed an increase of Enterobactericae, Prevotellaceae and Lactobacillaceae in patients with sF compared to mF. We could also observe an association between apelin concentrations and bacterial lineages (phyla).
Conclusions:
Circulating apelin is associated with liver fibrosis and HCC. In addition, there might exist an interaction between systemic apelin and the gut microbiome.
Insights
Circulating apelin levels are elevated in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and correlate with liver fibrosis and cancer. Apelin may also interact with the gut microbiome, impacting liver survival.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing global health concern.
- Adipokines, such as apelin (APLN), play a role in MASLD's complex mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of apelin (APLN) in MASLD.
- To explore the relationship between apelin, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in MASLD patients.
Main Methods:
- Collected fecal and blood samples from MASLD patients and healthy controls.
- Measured serum concentrations of apelin (APLN), apelin receptor (APLNR), and cytokines.
- Analyzed gut microbiome composition and its association with apelin levels.
Main Results:
- Apelin levels were elevated in MASLD patients with mild and severe fibrosis, and HCC, correlating with the Fib-4 score.
- Apelin concentrations were negatively associated with liver survival.
- Alterations in gut microbiome composition, including increased Enterobacteriaceae, Prevotellaceae, and Lactobacillaceae, were observed in severe fibrosis, with associations noted between apelin and bacterial lineages.
Conclusions:
- Circulating apelin is linked to liver fibrosis and HCC in MASLD.
- A potential interaction between systemic apelin and the gut microbiome in MASLD warrants further investigation.
