Vitamin D Levels in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Type II Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) individuals are more prone to acquire type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the knowledge regarding this phenomenon is limited to individuals without diabetes mellitus (DM). Vitamin D deficiency may lead to a more pronounced shift in an individual's glucose metabolism. Moreover, hepatocytes and peripheral tissues may potentially benefit from vitamin D in terms of reducing insulin resistance induced by free fatty acids. Objective: In this study, serum vitamin D levels were examined in patients with NAFLD with T2DM, and its relationship with NAFLD without DM was evaluated.Subjects and Methods: A total of 120 subjects were included in this study, divided into three groups: Group I included 30 healthy subjects matched for sex and age, Group II included 50 patients with NAFLD who had diabetes, and Group III included 40 subjects without diabetes. Three groups were compared regarding clinical and biochemical characteristics concerning serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results: According to this study, people with NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasound examination Group II had significantly reduced serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D compared to patients without NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasound examination Group II. There was a statistically significant difference between groups and 25(OH) vitamin D levels than group III. In addition, a highly significant difference in serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels was observed between groups II and III and the control group. Moreover, 25(OH) vitamin D is an independent predictor of T2DM in patients with NAFLD.Conclusion: Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were lower in patients with NAFLD and DM, indicating that low 25(OH) vitamin D status contributes to the onset and progression of diabetes mellitus in NAFLD.Keywords:25-hydroxy vitamin D[25(OH)D)], Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes mellitus.