Association of glucagon-to-insulin ratio and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moh Moh, Myint Aung; Jung, Chan-Hee; Lee, Bora; Choi, Dughyun; Kim, Bo-Yeon; Kim, Chul-Hee; Kang, Sung-Koo; Mok, Ji-Oh
• Is Part Of: Diabetes & vascular disease research. Volume 16:Number 2(2019:Mar.)
• Page Start: 186
• Page End: 195
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Glucagon -- insulin -- glucagon-to-insulin ratio -- nonalcoholic fatty liver disease -- type 2 diabetes mellitus -- insulin resistance; Diabetic angiopathies -- Periodicals; 616.462005
• DOI: 10.1177/1479164118810691
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-1641

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between glucagon-to-insulin ratio and the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on ultrasonography in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Research design and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with data obtained from 172 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted to a University hospital of Korea. Participants were assessed for serum fasting and postprandial serum glucagon-to-insulin ratio and divided into tertiles. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was defined as ultrasonographically detected fatty liver. Results: Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was significantly decreased across tertile of fasting and postprandial glucagon-to-insulin ratio ( p = 0.009 for trend, p = 0.001 for trend, respectively). Lower glucagon-to-insulin ratio was significantly associated with the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease even after adjustment for potential confounding variables [fasting glucagon-to-insulin ratio: odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 2.68 (1.08–6.86)], postprandial glucagon-to-insulin ratio: [2.72 (1.03–7.35)]. The participants in the lowest tertile of fasting glucagon-to-insulin ratio had higher body mass index, visceral fat thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance and shorter duration of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: This study suggests that lower glucagon relative insulin may be independently associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in participants with type 2 diabetes.