The effect of calcium and vitamin A in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver diseases

Abstract

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is a chronic liver injury that may result from benign steatosis, which is a common form of NAFLD. Chronic liver diseases such as NAFLD tend to be related to vitamin A deficiency.

The study aimed to investigate the role of vitamin A and calcium and their relation in the occurrence of fibrosis or steatosis in NAFLD patients, as well as the incidence of liver steatosis in NAFLD.

Results

The study was cross-sectional and involved 110 subjects. A detailed history, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, serum calcium and vitamin A assessments, abdominal ultrasonography, and fibroscan examination were performed. The study included 110 individuals aged 18–70. Based on imaging, the participants were classified into the NAFLD group (70 patients) and the control group (40 persons). According to the study results indicate of patients with NAFLD were classified as 37.3% as S1, 19% as S2, and 7.3% as S3. Regarding the degree of fibrosis, 30% of NAFLD patients were F1, 17.3% were F2, and 16.4% were F3. The study found that the NAFLD group had lower levels of vitamin A than the control group but higher calcium levels.

Conclusion

Individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may exhibit varying degrees of steatosis based on their serum retinol levels. The findings suggest that vitamin A and calcium may play a role in the development and progression of NAFLD.