Serum complement C3 levels are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease independently of metabolic features in Chinese population

Sci Rep. 2016 Mar 31:6:23279. doi: 10.1038/srep23279.

Abstract

Serum complement C3 levels are closely associated with obesity and related metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum complement C3 levels with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A cross-sectional study was performed among adults who took their annual health examinations at Zhenhai Lianhua Hospital, Ningbo, China during 2014. We included 7540 participants (5069 men and 2471 women) in this study. NAFLD patients had higher serum complement C3 levels (P < 0.001), and these levels were positively associated with both NAFLD prevalence and severity (P < 0.001). The above association remains true among lean and metabolic syndrome-free participants. Multivariable regression analysis showed that serum complement C3 was independently associated with risk for NAFLD (OR = 5.231; 95% CI: 3.169-8.635). Serum complement C3 level is positively associated with prevalence and severity of NAFLD, and this association is independent of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • China
  • Complement C3 / metabolism*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / blood*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / diagnosis*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / immunology
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Complement C3