The relationship of atherogenic index of plasma with endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease

Abstract

Aims: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a marker used to predict atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, we examined the relationship of AIP with markers of endothelial dysfunction (ED) [asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and adiponectin] and early atherosclerosis [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)] in patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with retrospective enrollment. AIP was defined as the logarithmically transformed ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. All patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had steatohepatitis or fibrosis and were compared. Mean differences between two independent groups were assessed using the independent Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. Results: A total of 129 male subjects with biopsy-proven MAFLD were enrolled. There were no significant differences regarding AIP (0.64±0.039 vs. 0.62±0.033, p=0.773) between patients with steatohepatitis (n=54) and without steatohepatitis (n=75). Additionally, similar findings were observed among subjects with fibrosis (n=84) and without fibrosis (n=45). However, there was no association of AIP with ADMA, adiponectin, hs-CRP, insulin and HOMA-IR levels (p=0.176, p=0.636, p=0.810, p=0.068, and p=0.126, respectively). Conclusion: The lack of association between AIP and the biomarkers of ED or early atherosclerosis implies that this index may not be a significant predictor of CVD in MAFLD.