Serum thioredoxin levels as a predictor of steatohepatitis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract Background/Aims : Thioredoxin (TRX) is a stress-inducible thiol-containing protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of serum TRX in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or simple steatosis. Methods : Serum TRX levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit in 25 patients with NASH, 15 patients with simple steatosis, and 17 healthy volunteers. Results : Serum TRX levels (medians and (ranges), ng/ml) were significantly elevated in patients with NASH (60.3 (17.6–104.7)), compared to those in patients with simple steatosis (24.6 (16.6–69.7), P =0.0009) and in healthy controls (23.5 (1.3–50.7), P Conclusions : The pathogenesis of NASH may be associated with iron-related oxidative stress. The serum TRX level is a parameter for discriminating NASH from simple steatosis as well as a predictor of the severity of NASH.