Biochemical and Physiological Correlates of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Cross-Sectional Observational Study: Biochemical and Physiological Correlates of NAFLD

Ameer Hamza; Muhammad Ahmed; Areej  Khalid; Aneela  Shahzadi; Muhammad  Taha; Muhammad Moghees  Afzal

doi:10.69750/dmls.02.09.0152

Authors

Ameer Hamza Shaikha Fatima Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences (SFINHS), Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Muhammad Ahmed Shaikha Fatima Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences (SFINHS), Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Areej Khalid Center of Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Aneela Shahzadi Department of Neuromuscular Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Muhammad Taha Shaikha Fatima Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences (SFINHS), Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan Author
Muhammad Moghees Afzal Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Faisalabad, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69750/dmls.02.09.0152

Keywords:

NAFLD, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, obesity, biochemical markers, inflammation

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been categorized as one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases globally, and many argue that it is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. It is closely linked with obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension. There is a need to determine its biochemical and physiological analogue to facilitate early diagnosis and risk stratification, particularly in developing countries such as Pakistan, where metabolic disorders associated with lifestyle are increasing at a very high pace.

Objective: The objective is to evaluate the biochemical and physiological indicators of NAFLD and establish their relationship with insulin resistance and hepatic dysfunction in adult participants.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included observation of the Department of Medicine, Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan, during the period between February 2024 and May 2025. Adults (100 and 30 NAFLD and healthy, respectively) diagnosed with NAFLD ultrasonographically and healthy control groups were used (100 and 30, respectively). Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, fasting glucose, lipid profile, liver enzymes, insulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. Insulin resistance was measured by the HOMA-IR. The statistical analysis was provided by SPSS version 26, with p < 0.05 as a significant value.

Results: BMI (30.9 vs. 24.8 kg/m 2 ), fasting glucose (112.7 vs. 89.3 mg/dL), triglycerides (185.9 vs. 129.4 mg/dL), ALT (55.8 vs. 24.6 U/L), and HOMA-IR (4.1 vs. 2.1) were significantly different across the NAFLD patients. The positive correlation was found between ALT and triglycerides and HOMA-IR (r = 0.61 and 0.57, respectively), whereas the negative correlation was found between HDL-C and HOMA-IR (r = -0.46, p = 0.004).

Conclusion: NAFLD is narrowly interconnected with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and the increase of hepatic enzymes. These physiological and biochemical parameters would be monitored regularly to aid in the identification of NAFLD at an early stage and assess the risk, as well as prevent the disease in the at-risk population.

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