Key result
Elevated triglycerides linked to ~8% higher hepatocellular carcinoma risk, while cholesterol shows inverse association.
Why the study?
Metabolic alterations in lipid pathways contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma progression, but the significance of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in HCC patients with metabolic disorders by sex and residence area was unclear.
Case-Control (n=510)
Odds Ratio: 1.082
p-value: p=<0.001
Elevated TG and lower TC are associated with HCC risk, while survey data shows social media significantly influences health-related economic and physical decisions, particularly among younger users.
Lipid monitoring may refine HCC assessment in metabolic disorders; leaves open causal validation and targeted trials.
Background: Metabolic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) focus on lipid pathway disruption, driving tumor proliferation and immune evasion alongside demographic risk factors via specific genetic and enzymatic targets. The significance of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels in HCC patients with metabolic disorders in Maysan, Iraq, considering patient sex and residence area. Methods: This study analyzed 510 participants (255 HCC patients with metabolic disorders and 255 healthy controls) using serum measurements of TC and TG levels, logistic regression, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and AutoDock Vina molecular docking simulations for Atorvastatin, Rutin, Orlistat, Avasimibe, and Cholic Acid. Results: Elevated TG levels correlated with increased HCC risk (odds ratio [OR] =1.082, P < 0.001), while higher TC levels were inversely related (OR = 0.966, P < 0.001), highlighting peripheral “cholesterol trapping.” Three-Way ANOVA showed lipid alterations were associated with disease status ( P = 0.001) but did not vary by sex or residence ( P = 0.901). Preliminary docking results identified Atorvastatin as the strongest, redocking-validated binder, with Rutin a closely comparable candidate meriting further exploration; Cholic Acid’s predicted binding could not be similarly validated. Conclusion: A reliable, demographically stable biomarker for HCC is peripheral dyslipidemia. Although extrapolation to cholic acid or clinical application awaits additional validation, Rutin’s binding design suggests it may be worthy of further research for regulating lipid pathways in HCC.
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AL-hameedawi et al. (2026) conducted a case-control in Hepatocellular carcinoma with metabolic disorders (n=510). Elevated triglyceride and total cholesterol levels vs. Healthy controls / normative lipid levels was evaluated on Hepatocellular carcinoma risk (OR 1.082, p=<0.001).
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