HDL-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux and Plasma Loading Capacities Are Altered in Subjects with Metabolically- but Not Genetically Driven Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Figures

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  Figure 1. Whole HDL cholesterol efflux capacity according to NAFLD classification and presence of MetS. (A) shows differences in whole CEC according to NAFLD classification. In univariate analysis Group M had lower cholesterol efflux capacity independently from ApoAI levels and HFF% (Padj < 0.001); (B) shows differences in whole CEC according to the presence of MetS. In univariate analysis Group M/MetS+ had lower CEC independently from age, ApoAI levels and HFF% (Padj = 0.010) as compared to Group M/MetS−. Cholesterol efflux capacity expressed in relative efflux is presented in median and IQR. *** for p < 0.0001; * for p = 0.029. Group M, metabolic NAFLD group; Group G, genetic NAFLD group; Group M/MetS−, metabolic NAFLD group without MetS diagnosis; Group M/Mets+, metabolic NAFLD group with MetS diagnosis (see Section 2).

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  Figure 2. ABCG1-, ABCA1-, PD-, and SR-BI- mediated CEC according to NAFLD classification and MetS diagnosis. (A) shows differences in ABCA1-, ABCG1-, SR-BI- and PD-mediated CEC according to NAFLD classification; (B) shows differences in ABCA1-, ABCG1-, SR-BI-, and PD-mediated CEC according to the presence of MetS. Cholesterol efflux capacities expressed in relative efflux are presented in mean ± SD. *** for p < 0.0001; ** for p ≤ 0.002. ABCA1 indicates ATP binding cassette A1; ABCG1, ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 1; Group M, metabolic NAFLD group; Group G, genetic NAFLD group; Group M/MetS−, metabolic NAFLD group without MetS diagnosis; Group M/Mets+, metabolic NAFLD group with MetS diagnosis (see Section 2); SR-BI, scavenger receptor class B member 1.

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  Figure 3. Whole CEC in study groups according to HDL-C levels. The figure shows differences in the whole cholesterol efflux capacity between groups according to quartiles of HDL-C. There were significant differences in efflux between all pairs with the same or similar HDL-C as determined by Mann-Whitney test. No Controls were present in the first HDL quartile.

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  Figure 4. Comparison of percentage of pre-β HDL and UC/TC ratio between study groups. (A) shows pre-β HDL concentrations between study groups expressed as mean ± SE; (B) the box plot shows the ratio between unesterified cholesterol per total cholesterol (UC/TC ratio) expressed as median and IQR. Padj = 0.015 adjusted for ApoAI levels and HFF%. Group M, metabolic NAFLD group; Group G, genetic NAFLD group.

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  Figure 5. Comparison of plasma cholesterol loading capacity between study groups. (A) shows CLC according to NAFLD classification. *** p < 0.0001; (B) shows CLC according to MetS status. *** p < 0.0001; ** p = 0.003. Each bar represents the median and IQR cholesterol content of cells exposed to patient plasma. Group M, metabolic NAFLD group; Group G, genetic NAFLD group; Group M/MetS−, metabolic NAFLD group without MetS diagnosis; Group M/Mets+, metabolic NAFLD group with MetS diagnosis (see Section 2).

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  Figure 6. Linear regression analysis between CEC, CLC and adiponectin levels. (A) shows linear regression analysis between CEC and concentrations of adiponectin. R-squared = 0.49 (B) shows linear regression analysis between CLC and concentrations of adiponectin. R-squared = 0.60. ADP, adiponectin.