Introduction
infection has been associated with many extragastrointestinal diseases such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Recently, several studies have reported a relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and infection. Indeed, infection is involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR), which is closely linked with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, fetuin-A has been linked with impaired insulin sensitivity.
Aim
Therefore, we aimed to evaluate fetuin-A as a possible link between infection and IR.
Patients and methods
A total of 160 patients included in our study were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of infection. We determined serum fetuin-A, serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment-IR, and liver and kidney functions. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy and antral biopsy was taken for examination.
Results
We found that fetuin-A was significantly elevated in -positive group when compared with -negative group, and a significant positive correlation of fetuin-A was observed with fasting insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment-IR.
Conclusion
We conclude that fetuin-A was implicated as a possible link between infection and the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis through its effect on IR.