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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: C-Reactive Protein, Case-Control Studies, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Humans, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Prospective Studies, Serum Amyloid P-Component.
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Is plasma pentraxin-3 associated with endothelial dysfunction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? Context: Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) is an acute-phase protein belonging to the PTX family. It has been reported that PTX-3 is significantly associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with atherosclerosis and CVD. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of PTX-3 with circulating markers of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in patients with NAFLD. Seventy patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and seventy healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), adiponectin, and PTX-3 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) serum levels were measured with the immunoturbidimetric assay. Insulin resistance was estimated using the HOMA-IR index. PTX-3 and hsCRP levels were higher and adiponectin levels were lower in the NAFLD group compared to the healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all). In correlation analysis, a significant association was observed between PTX-3 and ADMA levels (r = 0.423, p < 0.001).
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Our study demonstrated for the first time that increased circulating PTX-3 is strongly associated with endothelial dysfunction in subjects with NAFLD. However, large prospective studies are needed to establish the independent predictive value of PTX-3 for CVD endpoints in this clinically relevant condition. Final Decision: yes