Low adherence to Mediterranean Diet is associated to sCD163 levels in patients with MAFLD. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perez-Diaz-del-Campo, N.; Rosso, C.; Caviglia, G.P.; Castelnuovo, G.; D'Amato, D.; Abdulle, A.; Guariglia, M.; Armandi, A.; Olivero, A.; Abate, M.L.; Saracco, G.M.; Bugianesi, E.
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 55(2023)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S23
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.01.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction&Aim: Low adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has been associated with an increased risk of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a clinical condition characterized by low grade chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess whether the adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with biomarkers of inflammation in patients with MAFLD. Method: A total of 40 patients with MAFLD were evaluated. Liver fibrosis was assessed by transient electrography (Fibroscan®530). Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters were collected at enrolment. We measured the soluble CD163 (sCD163) levels by ELISA as indirect biomarker of both hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using a validated 14-item Mediterranean diet adherence questionnaire; low and high adherence were defined by the median value of the final score. Results: Overall, the median age was 51 years (IQR 44;62), 52.00% of subjects were female and 32.00% had diabetes. Median liver stiffness was 6.6 (IQR 4.9;8.8), while sCD163 levels were 657 (IQR 553.5;813.5). Consistently, liver stiffness was significantly correlated to both MedDiet adherence and sCD163 concentrations (MedDiet: r= -0.38, p =0.006; sCD163: r=0.66, p <0.001, respectively). In addition, in patients with a low adherence to MedDiet significantly higher levels of sCD163 were observed (771.3 vs . 629.0, p =0.035). Interestingly, at multiple regression analysis, both low adherence to MedDiet adherence and sCD163 values (750-1303 ng/mL) were significantly associated with liver stiffness independently of age, sex, body mass index and diabetes. Conclusion: In conclusion, in subjects with MAFLD low adherence to MedDiet is associated to a pro-inflammatory profile and is associated with the degree of hepatic fibrosis. This work has received support from the EU/EFPIA Innovative Medicines Initiaive 2 Joint Undertaking (LITMUS grant no. 777377).