Serum Micro-RNA-122 Level as a Simple Noninvasive Marker of MAFLD Severity.

BACKGROUND

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common disease worldwide. Micro-RNA-122 is known to be the most abundant micro-RNA expressed in the liver.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of micro-RNA-122 and the degree of steatosis and fibrosis in obese patients with MAFLD.

METHODS

The study included 120 obese Egyptian patients with MAFLD, which were diagnosed and classified according to ultra-sonographic liver findings. All patients enrolled in the study were subjected to thorough clinical examination and laboratory investigations (serum micro-RNA-122 levels by PCR, lipid profile, liver biochemistry, and functions). Fibro-scan was used to assess the level of fibrosis.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in levels of micro-RNA-122 in obese patients with MAFLD compared to controls (<0.001). Micro-RNA-122 level was lower in patients with mild liver steatosis than patients with moderate or severe steatosis (<0.001). It was lower in patients with a mild degree of fibrosis than those with mild or moderate fibrosis (<0.001). Micro-RNA-122 was significantly positively correlated with low-density cholesterol and triglycerides level, and liver enzymes, and negatively correlated to high-density cholesterol (<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Serum micro-RNA-122 could be a useful predictor of assessing MAFLD severity regarding level of steatosis or fibrosis.