Clin Mol Hepatol.  2017 Sep;23(3):249-259. 10.3350/cmh.2017.0019.

Protein and vitamin B6 intake are associated with liver steatosis assessed by transient elastography, especially in obese individuals

• Ferro Y
• Carè I
• Mazza E
• Provenzano F
• Colica C
• Torti C
• Romeo S
• Pujia A
• Montalcini T

• KMID: 2400672
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2017.0019

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Although the detrimental effects of several dietary components on the promotion of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are well known, no studies have assessed the role of dietary vitamin B6. Moreover, studies on the associations between dietary components or body composition indices and liver steatosis assessed by transient elastography are rare. Our aim was to identify the nutritional factors and anthropometric parameters associated with liver steatosis.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 168 individuals (35% obese) who underwent a liver steatosis assessment by Controlled Attenuation Parameter measurement and nutritional assessment.
RESULTS
Tertiles of vitamin B6 intake were positively associated with hepatic steatosis (B=1.89, P=0.026, confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.80) as well as with triglycerides, glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and body mass index . In obese individuals, after multivariable analysis, the Controlled Attenuation Parameter score was still associated with triglycerides, ALT, and total protein intake (B=0.56, P=0.01, CI 0.10-1.02). Participants in tertile I (low intake) had a lower Controlled Attenuation Parameter than those in tertile III (P=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
We found a positive association between hepatic steatosis or Controlled Attenuation Parameter score and vitamin B6/total protein intake, probably related to the high intake of meat. Vitamin B6 might have a pathogenic role related to the increase of hepatic steatosis.

Keyword

Obesity; Fatty liver; Elastography; Vitamin B6; Proteins

MeSH Terms

Alanine Transaminase
Body Composition
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
Fatty Liver*
Glucose
Liver*
Meat
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nutrition Assessment
Obesity
Triglycerides
Vitamin B 6*
Vitamins*
Alanine Transaminase
Glucose
Triglycerides
Vitamin B 6
Vitamins