Association of Serum Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Level with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease, worldwide. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) was recently characterized as a novel inflammatory biomarker that is correlated with several components constituting the metabolic syndrome. Methods: In this study, we determined the serum levels of Lp-PLA2 in patients with definite nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n=25), borderline NASH (n=22), simple fatty liver (n=10), and healthy controls without evidence of liver disease (n=38). The levels of Lp-PLA2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared in the four study groups. Moreover, concentrations of Lp-PLA2 were assessed in relation to the general characteristics of the study participants and the results of liver biopsy. Results: Concentrations of Lp-PLA2 were significantly higher in patients with definite NASH (161.8±0.9 μg/L, P<0.001), borderline...