A study of endothelial dysfunction in patients of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide rapidly and is regarded as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. The present study was undertaken to study the endothelial dysfunction by flow mediated vasodilatation in NAFLD patients. Material and Methods: 32 cases and 16 age and sex matched controls were included in the study. Flow mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery was studied in both cases and controls. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical assessment was also done. Results: It was found that NAFLD patients had a significant endothelial dysfunction as assessed by flow mediated vasodilatation as compared with controls. Percentage change in FMD among NAFLD patients (13.54±3.65%) was found to be lower than that in controls (16.84±4.61%) and difference was found to be statistically significant (p 0.010). Conclusion: From the present study it can be concluded that NAFLD patients have significant endothelial dysfunction even in the absence of traditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease.