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Association Between Liver Vitamin A Reserves and Severity of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Class III Obese Following Bariatric Surgery

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Abstract

Background

Oxidative stress plays a role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis and may increase consumption of vitamin A for antioxidant purposes. It is hypothesized that drops in vitamin A concentration induce liver disease progression and increase hepatocellular carcinoma risk. The aim of this study was to assess concentrations of serum and liver retinol in the class III obese and correlate them with the histological diagnosis of NAFLD.

Methods

The sample group was composed of 68 class III obese (body mass index, BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) males and females who underwent bariatric surgery for treating obesity. Concentrations of serum and liver retinol were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The cutoff values used to denote inadequate serum and liver retinol stores were <1.05 μmol/L and ≤20 μg/g, respectively. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and NAFLD was diagnosed via histological assessment.

Results

All the patients had some degree of NAFLD. Inadequate concentrations of serum and liver retinol were found in 35.9 and 67.9 % of them, respectively. A significant association was found between liver retinol concentrations and the histological classification of the disease (p < 0.001). No such association was found for serum retinol.

Conclusions

This study confirms the association between liver retinol and degree of NAFLD, underscoring the need for further research in this area, to identify which patients might benefit from supplementation of vitamin A.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors Gabriela Chaves, Silvia Pereira, Carlos Saboya, Daiane Spitz, Camila Rodrigues, and Andréa Ramalho certify that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Cancer Institute, Center for Research on Micronutrients, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Gabriela Villaça Chaves

  2. Center for Research on Micronutrients, Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Sílvia Elaine Pereira

  3. Surgical Clinic, Center for Research on Micronutrients, Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Carlos José Saboya & Daiane Spitz

  4. National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Camila Santos Rodrigues

  5. Department of Social and Applied Nutrition, Center for Research on Micronutrients, Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Andréa Ramalho

  6. Rua General Ribeiro da Costa, 90/604, Leme, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Gabriela Villaça Chaves

Authors
  1. Gabriela Villaça Chaves
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  2. Sílvia Elaine Pereira
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  3. Carlos José Saboya
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  4. Daiane Spitz
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  5. Camila Santos Rodrigues
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  6. Andréa Ramalho
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Correspondence to Gabriela Villaça Chaves.

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Chaves, G.V., Pereira, S.E., Saboya, C.J. et al. Association Between Liver Vitamin A Reserves and Severity of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Class III Obese Following Bariatric Surgery. OBES SURG 24, 219–224 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-013-1087-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-013-1087-8

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