The relationship between endoplasmic reticulum stress and liver function, insulin resistance and vascular endothelial function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

S.-L. Zhou, C. Li, J.-J. Huang, Q. Xiong, Q.-Z. Li, B.-K. Peng, Z. Tang

Endocrine Department, Yan’an Hospital of Kunming City, Kunming, P.R. China. tang123456732@126.com

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• Metabolism

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between ER stress and liver function, insulin resistance and vascular endothelial function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 95 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were selected. They were admitted to our hospital from November 2016 to January 2019. A total of 90 cases of obese patients without fatty liver were selected as control group during the same period. The levels of ER stress marker protein were compared between the two groups, and the relationship between ER stress and liver function, insulin resistance, and vascular endothelial function was analyzed.

RESULTS: The protein level of ER stress markers in the test group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). The liver function index and insulin resistance level were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). The level of vascular endothelial function was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that ER stress marker protein was positively correlated with liver function and insulin resistance (p<0.05), while ER marker protein was negatively correlated with vascular endothelial function (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Liver function and insulin resistance are closely related to ER stress in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Insulin resistance is one of the factors inducing and aggravating endothelial dysfunction.

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