Serum Concentration Of Autophagy-Related Protein 7 Is Correlated With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Chinese Adults

In the current study, we evaluated the serum levels of the autophagy indicators, autophagy-related protein 7 (Atg7) and Beclin-1, and the possible association of these indicators with lipid and glucose metabolic components in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A total of 176 individuals were involved in the study. Eighty-eight healthy individuals were randomly selected as the control group, and 88 patients with NAFLD were recruited to the NAFLD group. Blood lipids, blood glucose and other parameters were measured, with serum levels of Atg7 and Beclin-1 measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Compared with the control group, the blood triglyceride, fasting plasma insulin, and 2-h post-challenge insulin levels were higher in the NAFLD group (P < 0.05), as was the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.001) and Atg7 serum levels (P < 0.05). Although serum Beclin-1 levels tended to be higher in the NAFLD group than the control group, there was no significant difference. While serum Atg7 was negatively associated with age, waist: hip ratio, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and 2-h post-challenge insulin, it was positively correlated with body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Serum Beclin-1 was positively correlated with body mass index and triglycerides. An increase in the autophagy indicators, Atg7 and Beclin-1, in patients with NAFLD provides evidence that autophagy may play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.