Significance of Hepatic Insulin Clearance in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Intern Med. 2016;55(9):1049-54. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5288. Epub 2016 May 1.

Abstract

Objective Hyperinsulinemia plays an important role in the pathophysiological processes of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there are few reports on hepatic insulin clearance in patients with these diseases. Methods A total of 74 CHC patients and 37 NAFLD patients were enrolled in this study. We evaluated their hepatic insulin clearance, insulin sensitivity and β-cell function with an oral glucose tolerance test. Results Hepatic insulin clearance in the patients with CHC was significantly correlated with platelets (r=0.271, p=0.020) and liver fibrosis (r=-0.234, p=0.045) and was significantly affected by both steatosis (mild: 0.157±0.078, severe: 0.114±0.053, p=0.024) and fibrosis (mild: 0.167±0.0857, severe: 0.125±0.052, p=0.010). There were no significant differences in (homeostasis model assessment) HOMA-β among steatosis and fibrosis stages. In the NAFLD patients, those with severe fibrosis had significantly reduced hepatic insulin clearance (mild: 0.135±0.045, severe: 0.098±0.031, p=0.013) and significantly increased HOMA-β (mild: 115.6±67.1, severe: 172.8±65.7, p=0.018) compared with the patients with mild fibrosis. Conclusion Liver fibrosis development is associated with hepatic insulin clearance in both the CHC and NAFLD patients.

MeSH terms

  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / metabolism*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hyperinsulinism / etiology
  • Hyperinsulinism / physiopathology*
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / complications
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / metabolism*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / physiopathology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Insulin