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Insulin-like growth factor-1 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systemic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Aim

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing worldwide. A number of researchers have studied the relationship between Insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) and NAFLD. However, the results are controversial. This meta-analysis, aimed to systemically evaluate the correlation between IGF-1 and NAFLD.

Methods

We searched for four online databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and CNKI up to Feb 2018. We then applied a random-effects model to evaluate the overall effect sizes by calculating Standard mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Twelve articles were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis showed that the level of IGF-1 in the control group was significantly higher than that in the NAFLD group. (SMD: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.54–1.46, P < 0.00001). However, significant heterogeneity was discovered among the included studies (P < 0.00001, I2 = 96%). Then a series of subgroup analyses were performed. Compared to the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) group, the level of IGF-1 was significantly higher in the Non- or probable-NASH group (SMD: 1.42, 95% CI: 0.25–2.58, P = 0.02). The level of IGF-1 in patients with increased insulin resistance (SMD: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.36–0.63; P < 0.00001) and high Body Mass Index (SMD: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.22–0.79; P < 0.05) were significantly lower than healthy control. In addition, the same conclusion were found in studies carried out in Asia and Europe (Asia: SMD: 0.69, 95% CI: −0.29–1.66, P = 0.17; Europe: SMD: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.41–1.38, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The level of IGF-1 is down-regulated in NAFLD patients compared to healthy controls, suggesting that IGF-1 might be used as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for NAFLD.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2016SF-327) and Scientific Research Fund Project of Shaanxi Province Department of Education (11JK0708 and 12JK0704).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Central Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710077, PR China

    Yang Yao

  2. Clinical Medicine (three-year program) of Postgrade 2016, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710021, PR China

    Xiangxia Miao

  3. Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710032, PR China

    Donglie Zhu

  4. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, PR China

    Dongmin Li

  5. Clinical Medicine (three-year program) of Postgrade 2017, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710021, PR China

    Ying Zhang & Chengyan Song

  6. Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710077, PR China

    Kaige Liu

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  1. Yang Yao
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These authors contributed equally: Yang Yao, Xiangxia Miao

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Yao, Y., Miao, X., Zhu, D. et al. Insulin-like growth factor-1 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Endocrine 65, 227–237 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-019-01982-1

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