Circulating levels of fetuin-A are associated with moderate–severe hepatic steatosis in young adults

Purpose: The hepatokine fetuin-A might have a role as molecular link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between fetuin-A and the prevalence and severity of NAFLD in a population of young adults. Methods: Ninety-seven adults (age 35.7 ± 12.4 years, female 64.9%), enrolled in a previous study evaluating NAFLD prevalence in the presence or absence of family history of T2DM, were included. Serum levels of fetuin-A (ELISA BioVendor, Czech Republic) and the main biochemical parameters were assessed. Presence and severity of NAFLD were evaluated by ultrasonography (Toshiba, Japan). A linear regression was run to predict fetuin-A levels and a logistic regression was performed to predict moderate–severe steatosis. Results: Fetuin-A associated inversely with age (ß − 0.12, p = 0.03) and directly with body mass index (BMI) (ß 0.5, p = 0.048), waist circumference (WC) (ß 0.3, p = 0.027), triglycerides (TG) (ß 0.1, p = 0.001) and uric acid (ß 1.7, p = 0.018), after adjustment for age and sex. In a model including age, BMI, WC, TG and uric acid, age (ß − 0.2, p = 0.002) and TG (ß 0.04, p = 0.02) were independent predictors of fetuin-A. Prevalence of steatosis was 66%. The rates of mild and moderate–severe steatosis were 50.5% and 15.5%, respectively. In the logistic model, the independent predictors of moderate–severe steatosis were fetuin-A (OR 1.22, p = 0.036), age (OR 1.17, p = 0.01) and BMI (OR 2.75, p = 0.011). Conclusion: In a sample of young adults, circulating levels of fetuin-A correlated with moderate–severe NAFLD, independent of confounders, and with some metabolic parameters. Fetuin-A might be a useful marker to predict NAFLD and metabolic disorders.