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01-03-2019 | Original Contribution

Higher serum carotenoids associated with improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults: a prospective study

Authors: Mian-li Xiao, Geng-dong Chen, Fang-fang Zeng, Rui Qiu, Wen-qi Shi, Jie-sheng Lin, Yi Cao, Hua-bin Li, Wen-hua Ling, Yu-ming Chen

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies have suggested that serum carotenoids might be inversely associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but little data came from longitudinal studies. We prospectively examined the associations between serum-carotenoid levels and NAFLD severity and the intermediary effects of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), HOMA insulin-resistance index (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI), and serum triglycerides in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults.

Methods

This prospective study included 3336 Chinese adults (40–75 years). We assessed serum concentrations of carotenoids at baseline and determined serum RBP4, triglycerides, and HOMA-IR levels at year 3. Abdominal ultrasonography was conducted to assess the presence and degree of NAFLD at years 3 and 6.

Results

The 2687 subjects who completed both NAFLD tests were classified into stable, improved and progressed groups according to changes in the degree of NAFLD between two visits. Analyses of covariance showed that ln-transformed serum concentrations of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids were positively associated with NAFLD improvement (all p-trend < 0.05). After multivariable adjustment, mean differences in serum carotenoids were higher by 29.6% (β-carotene), 18.2% (α-carotene), 15.6% (β-cryptoxanthin), 11.5% (lycopene), 8.9% (lutein/zeaxanthin), and 16.6% (total carotenoids) in the improved vs. progressed subjects. Path analyses indicated the carotenoid–NAFLD association was mediated by lowering serum RBP4, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and BMI, which were positively associated with the prevalence and progression of NAFLD.

Conclusions

In middle-aged and elderly adults, higher serum-carotenoid concentrations were favorably associated with NAFLD improvement, mediated by reducing serum RBP4, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and BMI.

Trial registrations

This study has been registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03179657.

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Title: Higher serum carotenoids associated with improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults: a prospective study
Authors: Mian-li Xiao
Geng-dong Chen
Fang-fang Zeng
Rui Qiu
Wen-qi Shi
Jie-sheng Lin
Yi Cao
Hua-bin Li
Wen-hua Ling
Yu-ming Chen
Publication date: 01-03-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1678-1

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Higher serum carotenoids associated with improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults: a prospective study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registrations

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Abstract

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Results

Conclusions

Trial registrations

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