Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Fitzinger, J.
NAFLD and bile acids: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease- a new pandemic after corona?
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2023. pp.
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Mangge Harald
- Rodriguez Blanco Giovanny
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background/ Objectives: Worldwide, an increasing number of people is suffering from non-alcoholic-fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common reason for fatty liver. The main cause is metabolic syndrome, which is accompanied by cardiovascular diseases and general higher morbidity and mortality, causing higher workload and expenses in health care. Therefore, the focus of research is on finding therapeutic, but also diagnostic possibilities for the disease. Still, the ways of detecting are limited, especially for non-invasive and early diagnosis. It is important to understand the diverse affection of organs and metabolism including the role of insulin resistance, immune system, gastrointestinal microbiome as well as genetic variations and the influence of sex. Metabolomics are a way to get insight into cellular processes through creation of a profile of certain small molecules. We measured bile acid (BA) concentrations in the plasma of adult NAFLD- and alcoholic liver disease patients and controls with targeted mass spectrometry. Hypothesis: The liver is central for BA synthesis and therefore BA may be potential markers to detect and monitor liver dysfunction. Depending on certain individual contributors and the origin of liver disease, the changes in BA concentrations could show a characteristic pattern. Results: There are alterations, that seem to be specific for NAFLD (significant in NAFLD vs. controls and NAFLD vs. ALD) and some trends that are dependent on gender. Women presented with higher concentrations of primary BA. In male NAFLD, concentrations of secondary BA are elevated and they show a lower proportion of total free BA to total BA, but the part of free chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) is higher. Glycine/taurine conjugated BA and glycine conjugated CA/CDCA are higher than in controls.