Plasma ApoE levels were independently and positively associated with suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Fatty Liver Index ≥ 60) in a large population-based cohort (β 0.201, P<0.001).
Cross-Sectional (n=6,762)
No
Is suspected NAFLD associated with elevated plasma ApoE levels in the general population?
Suspected NAFLD is independently associated with increased plasma ApoE levels, which may contribute to altered VLDL metabolism and increased susceptibility to atherosclerosis.
Effect estimate: β 0.201
Absolute Event Rate: 0.045% vs 0.036%
p-value: p=<0.001
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is featured by increased plasma very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). The extent to which plasma apolipoprotein E (ApoE) levels are elevated in NAFLD is unclear. We determined whether plasma ApoE is elevated in subjects with suspected NAFLD. Plasma ApoE and genotypes were determined in 6,762 participants of the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease (PREVEND) cohort. A Fatty Liver Index (FLI) ≥ 60 was used as a proxy of NAFLD. A total of 1,834 participants had a FLI ≥ 60, which coincided with increased triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, ApoB and ApoE (all P<0.001). In multivariable linear regression analysis, plasma ApoE levels were positively associated with an elevated FLI when taking account of ApoE genotypes and other clinical and laboratory covariates (fully adjusted model: β = 0.201, P<0.001). Stratified analysis for ApoE genotypes (ApoE ε3ε3 homozygotes, ApoE ε2 carriers, and ApoE ε3ε4 and ε4ε4 carriers combined), also showed positive associations of plasma ApoE levels with an elevated FLI in each group (all P<0.001). In conclusion, it is suggested that NAFLD is characterized by increased plasma ApoE levels, even when taking account of the various ApoE genotypes. Increased plasma ApoE may contribute to altered VLDL metabolism and to increased atherosclerosis susceptibility in NAFLD.
Berg et al. (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (n=6,762). Plasma ApoE levels vs. Subjects with FLI < 60 was evaluated on Association of plasma ApoE with suspected NAFLD (FLI ≥ 60) (β 0.201, p=<0.001). Plasma ApoE levels were independently and positively associated with suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Fatty Liver Index ≥ 60) in a large population-based cohort (β 0.201, P<0.001).