Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with bacterial translocation and a higher inflammation response in psoriatic patients

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 21;11(1):8593. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88043-8.

Abstract

Psoriasis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are both inflammatory diseases. The study objective was to estimate the risk of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and liver fibrosis (by liver stiffness and liver biopsy) in patients with psoriasis and to determine the epidemiological, clinical, immunological (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β) characteristics, and bacterial translocation. Of the 215 psoriatic patients included, 91 presented NAFLD (prevalence: 42.3%). Compared to patients with psoriasis alone, those with NAFLD were significantly more likely to have metabolic syndrome, diabetes, dyslipidemia, body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance ≥ 2.15, and greater psoriasis area severity index. NAFLD patients also had significantly higher levels of TNF-α (p = 0.002) and TGF-β (p = 0.007) and a higher prevalence of bacterial translocation (29.7% vs. 13.7%; p = 0.004). Liver stiffness measurement was over 7.8 kPa in 17.2% (15/87) of NAFLD patients; 13 of these underwent liver biopsy, and 5.7% (5/87) had liver fibrosis, while 1.1% (1/87) had advanced fibrosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In conclusion the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with psoriasis is high and associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome features, bacterial translocation and a higher pro-inflammatory state. It is worth mentioning that liver fibrosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are not frequent in this population of patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacterial Translocation / physiology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus / microbiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / microbiology*
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / microbiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Metabolic Syndrome / microbiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / microbiology*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / pathology*
  • Prevalence
  • Psoriasis / metabolism
  • Psoriasis / microbiology*
  • Psoriasis / pathology*
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Cytokines