https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31958476 NAFLD

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2020 Jan 17;160:108027. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108027. [Epub ahead of print]
Fasting C-peptide is a significant indicator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children.
Han X1, Xu P2, Zhou J1, Liu Y3, Xu H4.

Abstract

AIMS:
Whether fasting C-peptide can be a potential indicator for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children is unknown. This study aimed to assess whether fasting C-peptide represented a risk factor for NAFLD.

METHODS:
A total of 520 obese children (376 male, 144 female) aged 3.4-17.1 years were divided into two groups, obese with NAFLD and non-NAFLD, according to hepatic ultrasound results. Fasting plasma glucose, fasting C-peptide, hemoglobin A1c, renal function, liver function, blood lipid, fasting insulin and blood routine indices were measured. Insulin resistance by homoeostasis model (HOMA-IR) was calculated.

RESULTS:
Compared with the non-NAFLD group, the obese children with NAFLD had higher fasting C-peptide, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (P < 0.001). Stepwise multiple logistic regression models showed that fasting C-peptide (odds ratio: OR = 2.367) was independent indicator of the presence of NAFLD in obese children as well as white blood cell (OR = 1.113), albumin (OR = 1.124), alanine aminotransferase (OR = 1.030), triglycerides (OR = 1.335), and waist circumference (OR = 1.047). Furthermore, after adjustment for confounding variables, the prevalence of NAFLD in obese children was significantly higher according to increased serum fasting C-peptide levels. The adjusted OR for NAFLD according to fasting C-peptide tertiles were 1.00 (as references), 1.896(1.045-3.436), and 4.169(1.822-9.537).

CONCLUSION:
Our data suggested that obese children with high level of fasting C-peptide had an increased risk for developing NAFLD.