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Circulating PCSK9 is associated with liver biomarkers and hepatic steatosis.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Paquette, Martine 
Gauthier, Dany 
Chamberland, Ann 
Prat, Annik 
De Lucia Rolfe, Emanuella  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3542-2767

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In parallel to the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of hepatic steatosis has also increased dramatically worldwide. Hepatic steatosis is a major risk factor of hepatic cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Circulating levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) have been positively associated with the metabolic syndrome. However, the association between PCSK9 and the liver function is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the association between circulating PCSK9 levels and the presence of hepatic steatosis, as well as with liver biomarkers in a cohort of healthy individuals. METHODS: Total PCSK9 levels were measured by an in-house ELISA using a polyclonal antibody. Plasma albumin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, AST, total bilirubin and GGT were measured in 698 individuals using the COBAS system. The presence of hepatic steatosis was assessed using ultrasound liver scans. RESULTS: In a multiple regression model adjusted for age, sex, insulin resistance, body mass index and alcohol use, circulating PCSK9 level was positively associated with albumin (β = 0.102, P = 0.008), alkaline phosphatase (β = 0.201, P < 0.0001), ALT (β = 0.238, P < 0.0001), AST (β = 0.120, P = 0.003) and GGT (β = 0.103, P = 0.007) and negatively associated with total bilirubin (β = -0.150, P < 0.0001). Tertile of circulating PCSK9 was also associated with hepatic steatosis (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05-2.08, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a strong association between PCSK9 and liver biomarkers as well as hepatic steatosis. Further studies are needed to explore the role of PCSK9 on hepatic function.

Description

Keywords

Hepatic steatosis, Insulin resistance, Liver, Metabolic syndrome, PCSK9, Adult, Biomarkers, Cohort Studies, Fatty Liver, Female, Humans, Kenya, Liver, Male, Middle Aged, Proprotein Convertase 9

Journal Title

Clin Biochem

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0009-9120
1873-2933

Volume Title

77

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (146281)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (IS-BRC-1215-20014)