Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor B is elevated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients and associated with blood pressure and renal dysfunction

Authors

  • Xiaofeng Ye Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei provincial Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Wuhan 430022, China
  • Wen Kong Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Hubei provincial Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Wuhan 430022, China
  • Mohammad Ishraq Zafar Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
  • Junchao Zeng Healthcare Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
  • Rui Yang Healthcare Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
  • Lu-Lu Chen Department of Endocrinology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China. Tel.: +86-02785726799; E-mail: cheria_chen@126.com; Hubei provincial Clinical Research Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Wuhan 430022, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2020-2647

Keywords:

vascular endothelial growth factor B, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, blood pressure, renal dysfunction, metabolism

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) is a critical metabolic regulator in insulin resistance, and lipid distribution. We intended to ascertain the relationship between circulating VEGF-B and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the general public. We recruited a total of 194 general participants for a routine physical health examination; of these, 84 participants were identified with NAFLD and 110 without NAFLD based on ultrasonographic findings. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, liver function, kidney function, plasma VEGF-B levels and indexes of metabolic syndrome (blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, fasting lipids) were evaluated. Plasma VEGF-B values were significantly higher in individuals with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD (P = 0.022), and analysis of covariance confirmed this result. VEGF-B showed a positive correlation with γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) and HOMA-IR in univariate analysis (q = 0.242; P = 0.001; q =0.174; P = 0.019, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that γ-GT and ALT were independently correlated with VEGF-B even after adjusted for gender and age (q = 0.286; P = 0.01; q =0.237; P = 0.033, respectively). Moreover, plasma VEGF-B showed a powerful correlation with blood pressure and renal dysfunction. Plasma VEGF-B might be a new clinical variable related to NAFLD and could be a proper biomarker for the early detection of hypertension and renal dysfunction. However, further studies with large cohorts’ size are warranted to validate our findings.

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Published

2020-08-20

How to Cite

Ye, X., Kong, W., Zafar, M. I., Zeng, J., Yang, R. ., & Chen, L.-L. (2020). Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor B is elevated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients and associated with blood pressure and renal dysfunction. EXCLI Journal, 19, 1186–1195. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2020-2647

Issue

Vol. 19 (2020)

Section

Original articles

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Copyright (c) 2020 Xiaofeng Ye, Wen Kong, Mohammad Ishraq Zafar, Junchao Zeng, Rui Yang, Lu-Lu Chen

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