Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss
Published on: July 19, 2024
Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Bone Turnover Markers in Postmenopausal Women: A
Sunita Maharjan1,2, Pragyan Dahal2, Bishal Ranabhat2
1Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences Kathmandu Nepal.
Background And Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, a condition of fatty infiltration in the liver, is mostly observed in women. Women after menopause are more likely to develop insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and visceral fat storage, which are all recognized to be risk factors for MASLD. Chronic low-grade inflammation in hepatocytes, which is a hallmark of MASLD, may significantly affect bone metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between MASLD and bone markers in postmenopausal women.
Methods:
The study is a cross-sectional study, carried out in Manmohan Memorial Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu from March 2019 to August 2019. Altogether 105 cases of MASLD and non-MASLD postmenopausal women were included in this study as case and control respectively. Anthropometric measurements were recorded using a standard checklist. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were measured, and statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16. A p value < 0.05 was indicated as statistically significant.
Results:
The median age of postmenopausal women did not differ significantly between those with and without MASLD (Non-MASLD: 60.0 years, IQR 53.0-69.0; MASLD: 58.0 years, IQR 55.0-65.0; p = 0.66). Similarly, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) showed no significant differences between the groups. Women with MASLD, however, exhibited higher anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI: 26.4 vs. 20.3 kg/m²) and waist circumference (WC: 96.5 cm vs. 88.9 cm). Biochemically, median serum calcium levels were significantly lower in women with MASLD (8.9 mg/dL, IQR 8.1-9.7), while median serum phosphorus (4.9 mg/dL, IQR 4.3-6.3) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (197.8 U/L, IQR 166.7-247.5) were significantly higher compared to the non-MASLD group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
This study showed significant changes in bone markers (serum calcium, phosphorus, and ALP) in postmenopausal women with MASLD than those without MASLD. Throughout our study, confounding factors such as BMI and waist circumference have significantly influenced the occurrence of bone disorders.
