| 1. |
- Lahelma, Mari, et al.
(författare)
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Assessment of lifestyle factors helps to identify liver fibrosis due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obesity
- 2021
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Ingår i: Nutrients. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-6643. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Only some individuals with obesity develop liver fibrosis due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD-fibrosis). We determined whether detailed assessment of lifestyle factors in addition to physical, biochemical and genetic factors helps in identification of these patients. A total of 100 patients with obesity (mean BMI 40.0 ± 0.6 kg/m2 ) referred for bariatric surgery at the Helsinki University Hospital underwent a liver biopsy to evaluate liver histology. Physical activity was determined by accelerometer recordings and by the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire, diet by the FINRISK Food Frequency Questionnaire, and other lifestyle factors, such as sleep patterns and smoking, by face-to-face interviews. Physical and biochemical parameters and genetic risk score (GRS based on variants in PNPLA3, TM6SF2, MBOAT7 and HSD17B13) were measured. Of all participants 49% had NAFLD-fibrosis. Independent predictors of NAFLD-fibrosis were low moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, high red meat intake, low carbohydrate intake, smoking, HbA1c, triglycerides and GRS. A model including these factors (areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) 0.90 (95% CI 0.84–0.96)) identified NAFLD-fibrosis significantly more accurately than a model including all but lifestyle factors (AUROC 0.82 (95% CI 0.73–0.91)) or models including lifestyle, physical and biochemical, or genetic factors alone. Assessment of lifestyle parameters in addition to physical, biochemical and genetic factors helps to identify obese patients with NAFLD-fibrosis.
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| 2. |
- Lahelma, Mari, et al.
(författare)
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The human liver lipidome is significantly related to the lipid composition and aggregation susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles
- 2022
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Ingår i: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier. - 0021-9150 .- 1879-1484. ; 363, s. 22-29
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to aggregation predicts atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, causes of interindividual variation in LDL lipid composition and aggregation susceptibility remain unclear. We examined whether the lipid composition and aggregation susceptibility of LDL reflect the lipid composition of the human liver.METHODS: Liver biopsies and blood samples for isolation of LDL particles were obtained from 40 obese subjects (BMI 45.9 ± 6.1 kg/m2, age 43 ± 8 years). LDL was isolated using sequential ultracentrifugation and lipidomic analyses of liver and LDL samples were determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. LDL aggregation susceptibility ex vivo was analyzed by inducing aggregation by human recombinant secretory sphingomyelinase and following aggregate formation.RESULTS: The composition (acyl carbon number and double bond count) of hepatic triglycerides, phosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins (SMs) was closely associated with that of LDL particles. Hepatic dihydroceramides and ceramides were positively correlated with concentrations of the corresponding SM species in LDL as well with LDL aggregation. These relationships remained statistically significant after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index.CONCLUSIONS: Lipid composition of LDL reflects that of the human liver in obese patients. Changes in hepatic sphingolipid metabolism may contribute to interindividual variation of LDL lipid composition and susceptibility to aggregation.
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| 3. |
- Luukkonen, Panu K., et al.
(författare)
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Distinct contributions of metabolic dysfunction and genetic risk factors in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Hepatology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-8278. ; 76:3, s. 526-535
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background & Aims: There is substantial inter-individual variability in the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Part of which is explained by insulin resistance (IR) (‘MetComp’) and part by common modifiers of genetic risk (‘GenComp’). We examined how IR on the one hand and genetic risk on the other contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Methods: We studied 846 individuals: 492 were obese patients with liver histology and 354 were individuals who underwent intrahepatic triglyceride measurement by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A genetic risk score was calculated using the number of risk alleles in PNPLA3, TM6SF2, MBOAT7, HSD17B13 and MARC1. Substrate concentrations were assessed by serum NMR metabolomics. In subsets of participants, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and their flux were assessed by D5-glycerol and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (n = 41), and hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) was measured by D2O (n = 61). Results: We found that substrate surplus (increased concentrations of 28 serum metabolites including glucose, glycolytic intermediates, and amino acids; increased NEFAs and their flux; increased DNL) characterized the ‘MetComp’. In contrast, the ‘GenComp’ was not accompanied by any substrate excess but was characterized by an increased hepatic mitochondrial redox state, as determined by serum β-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio, and inhibition of hepatic pathways dependent on tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, such as DNL. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio correlated strongly with all histological features of NAFLD. IR and hepatic mitochondrial redox state conferred additive increases in histological features of NAFLD. Conclusions: These data show that the mechanisms underlying ‘Metabolic’ and ‘Genetic’ components of NAFLD are fundamentally different. These findings may have implications with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. Lay summary: The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be explained in part by a metabolic component, including obesity, and in part by a genetic component. Herein, we demonstrate that the mechanisms underlying these components are fundamentally different: the metabolic component is characterized by hepatic oversupply of substrates, such as sugars, lipids and amino acids. In contrast, the genetic component is characterized by impaired hepatic mitochondrial function, making the liver less able to metabolize these substrates.
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| 4. |
- Luukkonen, Panu K., et al.
(författare)
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The PNPLA3 I148M variant increases ketogenesis and decreases hepatic de novo lipogenesis and mitochondrial function in humans
- 2023
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Ingår i: Cell Metabolism. - : Elsevier. - 1550-4131 .- 1932-7420. ; 35:11, s. 1887-1896.e5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The PNPLA3 I148M variant is the major genetic risk factor for all stages of fatty liver disease, but the underlying pathophysiology remains unclear. We studied the effect of this variant on hepatic metabolism in homozygous carriers and non-carriers under multiple physiological conditions with state-of-the-art stable isotope techniques. After an overnight fast, carriers had higher plasma b-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and lower hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) compared to non-carriers. After a mixed meal, fatty acids were channeled toward ketogenesis in carriers, which was associated with an increase in hepatic mitochondrial redox state. During a ketogenic diet, carriers manifested increased rates of intrahepatic lipolysis, increased plasma b-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, and decreased rates of hepatic mitochondrial citrate synthase flux. These studies demonstrate that homozygous PNPLA3 I148M carriers have hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction leading to reduced DNL and channeling of carbons to ketogenesis. These findings have implications for understanding why the PNPLA3 variant predisposes to progressive liver disease.
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| 5. |
- Pavlides, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Liver investigation: Testing marker utility in steatohepatitis (LITMUS): Assessment & validation of imaging modality performance across the NAFLD spectrum in a prospectively recruited cohort study (the LITMUS imaging study): Study protocol
- 2023
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Ingår i: Contemporary Clinical Trials. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. - 1551-7144 .- 1559-2030. ; 134
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the liver manifestation of the metabolic syndrome with global prevalence reaching epidemic levels. Despite the high disease burden in the population only a small proportion of those with NAFLD will develop progressive liver disease, for which there is currently no approved pharmacotherapy. Identifying those who are at risk of progressive NAFLD currently requires a liver biopsy which is problematic. Firstly, liver biopsy is invasive and therefore not appropriate for use in a condition like NAFLD that affects a large proportion of the population. Secondly, biopsy is limited by sampling and observer dependent variability which can lead to misclassification of disease severity. Non-invasive biomarkers are therefore needed to replace liver biopsy in the assessment of NAFLD. Our study addresses this unmet need. The LITMUS Imaging Study is a prospectively recruited multi-centre cohort study evaluating magnetic resonance imaging and elastography, and ultrasound elastography against liver histology as the reference standard. Imaging biomarkers and biopsy are acquired within a 100-day window. The study employs standardised processes for imaging data collection and analysis as well as a real time central monitoring and quality control process for all the data submitted for analysis. It is anticipated that the high-quality data generated from this study will underpin changes in clinical practice for the benefit of people with NAFLD. Study Registration: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05479721
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| 6. |
- Qadri, Sami, et al.
(författare)
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Hepatic insulin resistance is the basis of bile acid dysmetabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Hepatology. - : Elsevier. - 0168-8278 .- 1600-0641. ; 77:Suppl. 1, s. S694-S695
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background and aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased circulating bile acids (BAs). It is unknown whether this reflects altered intrahepatic BA metabolism due to NAFLD or the associated insulin resistance (IR). To dissociate steatosis from IR, we compared BA metabolism in NAFLD associated with either IR or high genetic risk.Method: In 106 patients undergoing a liver biopsy, we analysed serum/liver BAs, the hepatic transcriptome (RNA-seq), and concentrations of plasma FGF-19 (marker of intestinal BA metabolism). Using HOMA-IR and a validated weighted Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) for NAFLD, we divided the patients into matched groups to compare the effects of NAFLD associated with IR (‘High HOMA-IR’ vs. ‘LowHOMA-IR’) or with high genetic risk (‘High PRS’ vs. ‘Low PRS’) on BA metabolism.Results: An untargeted analysis identified distinct clusters of patients with simultaneously increased BAs, HOMA-IR, and liver fat content. Compared to ‘Low HOMA-IR’, patients with ‘High HOMA-IR’ had significantly higher total (+57%, P = 0.011) and especially conjugated (+82%, P = 0.002) serum BAs, but unchanged hepatic BAs. Expression of the primary hepatic BA uptake transporter NTCP was down-regulated, while plasma FGF-19 was unchanged. Despite having the same degree of steatosis and NASH compared to the ‘High HOMA-IR’ group, patients with ‘High PRS’ had similar serum/liver BAs compared to those with ‘Low PRS’. Stage F3-F4 liver fibrosis independently predicted higher serum BAs.Conclusion: In NAFLD without advanced fibrosis, serum BAs are increased due to IR, which may impair hepatocellular BA uptake. Intrahepatic BAs are unchanged in NAFLD.
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| 7. |
- Qadri, Sami, et al.
(författare)
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Heterogeneity of phosphatidylcholine metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Hepatology. - : Elsevier. - 0168-8278 .- 1600-0641. ; 77:Suppl. 1, s. S111-S111
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background and aims: In murine models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), liver damage associates with a deficiency of phosphatidylcholines (PCs), particularly polyunsaturated PCs (PUFA-PCs). We studied whether human PC metabolism is altered by NAFLD or by the protective genetic variant in HSD17B13 (rs72613567 T > TA).Method: In 143 obese patients with a liver biopsy and genotyping for HSD17B13 rs72613567, we analysed the hepatic lipidome (UPLC-MS). As the hepatic parenchymal fat fraction (HPFF) affects apparent concentrations of amphiphilic lipids, we normalised hepatic phospholipid concentrations to fat-free liver mass. To this end, we employed a state-of-the-art deep learning image analysis method (Aiforia Technologies) to accurately quantify HPFF in liver biopsies.Results: Total unadjusted hepatic PCs correlated negatively with HPFF (rs = −0.26, P < 0.01), but this association disappeared after normalising to fat-free liver mass (rs = 0.02, P = 0.81). With increasing HPFF, concentrations of especially saturated and monounsaturated PCs significantly increased, whereas concentrations of PUFA-PCs decreased. Accordingly, the hepatic triacylglycerol composition significantly correlated with that of hepatic PCs. In carriers of the protective variant in HSD17B13, as compared to non-carriers, the hepatic lipidome was enriched in especially PUFA-PCs.Conclusion: Patients with NAFLD have a deficiency of PUFA-PCs. The protective HSD17B13 rs72613567 variant opposes these changes, increasing intrahepatic PC concentrations.
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| 8. |
- Qadri, Sami, et al.
(författare)
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Obesity Modifies the Performance of Fibrosis Biomarkers in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : Oxford University Press. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 107:5, s. e2008-e2020
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Guidelines recommend blood-based fibrosis biomarkers to identify advanced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is particularly prevalent in patients with obesity. Objective: To study whether the degree of obesity affects the performance of liver fibrosis biomarkers in NAFLD. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study comparing simple fibrosis scores [Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4); NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS); aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index; BARD (body mass index, aspartate-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio, diabetes); Hepamet Fibrosis Score (HFS)] and newer scores incorporating neo-epitope biomarkers PRO-C3 (ADAPT, FIBC3) or cytokeratin 18 (MACK-3). Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: We recruited overweight/obese patients from endocrinology (n = 307) and hepatology (n = 71) clinics undergoing a liver biopsy [median body mass index (BMI) 40.3 (interquartile range 36.0-44.7) kg/m(2)]. Additionally, we studied 859 less obese patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD to derive BMI-adjusted cutoffs for NFS. Main Outcome Measures: Biomarker area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values to identify histological stage >= F3 fibrosis or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with >= F2 fibrosis [fibrotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)]. Results: The scores with an AUROC >= 0.85 to identify >= F3 fibrosis were ADAPT, FIB-4, FIBC3, and HFS. For fibrotic NASH, the best predictors were MACK-3 and ADAPT. The specificities of NFS, BARD, and FIBC3 deteriorated as a function of BMI. We derived and validated new cutoffs for NFS to rule in/out >= F3 fibrosis in groups with BM Is <30.0, 30.0 to 39.9, and >= 40.0 kg/m(2). This optimized its performance at all levels of BMI. Sequentially combining FIB-4 with ADAPT or FIBC3 increased specificity to diagnose >= F3 fibrosis. Conclusions: In obese patients, the best-performing fibrosis biomarkers are ADAPT and the inexpensive FIB-4, which are unaffected by BMI. The widely used NFS loses specificity in obese individuals, which may be corrected with BMI-adjusted cutoffs.
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| 9. |
- Taskinen, Marja-Riitta, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of Evolocumab on the Postprandial Kinetics of Apo (Apolipoprotein) B100- and B48-Containing Lipoproteins in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. - 1524-4636.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes is linked to elevated levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their remnants. The metabolic effects of PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9) inhibitors on this dyslipidemia were investigated using stable-isotope-labeled tracers. Approach and Results: Triglyceride transport and the metabolism of apos (apolipoproteins) B48, B100, C-III, and E after a fat-rich meal were investigated before and on evolocumab treatment in 13 subjects with type 2 diabetes. Kinetic parameters were determined for the following: apoB48 in chylomicrons; triglyceride in VLDL1 (very low-density lipoprotein) and VLDL2; and apoB100 in VLDL1, VLDL2, IDL (intermediate-density lipoprotein), and LDL (low-density lipoprotein). Evolocumab did not alter the kinetics of apoB48 in chylomicrons or apoB100 or triglyceride in VLDL1. In contrast, the fractional catabolic rates of VLDL2-apoB100 and VLDL2-triglyceride were both increased by about 45%, which led to a 28% fall in the VLDL2 plasma level. LDL-apoB100 was markedly reduced by evolocumab, which was linked to metabolic heterogeneity in this fraction. Evolocumab increased clearance of the more rapidly metabolized LDL by 61% and decreased production of the more slowly cleared LDL by 75%. ApoC-III kinetics were not altered by evolocumab, but the apoE fractional catabolic rates increased by 45% and the apoE plasma level fell by 33%. The apoE fractional catabolic rates was associated with the decrease in VLDL2- and IDL-apoB100 concentrations.Evolocumab had only minor effects on lipoproteins that are involved in triglyceride transport (chylomicrons and VLDL1) but, in contrast, had a profound impact on lipoproteins that carry cholesterol (VLDL2, IDL, LDL). Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02948777.
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