Dataset Information

Association between complement C3 and the prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in a Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Recently studies demonstrated that adipose tissue can produce and release complement C3 and serum complement C3 levels were associated with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thus, we plan to investigate the association of complement C3 levels and the presence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

Design

Observational study with a cross-sectional sample.

Setting

This study surveyed 4729 participants in Zhejiang province, China.

Participants

55 participants were excluded for acute infection and 1001 participants were excluded for lack of ultrasonography diagnoses and complete or partial absence of laboratory tests. The final sample size was 3673 participants.

Outcome measures

Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations between complement C3 levels and variables. Binary logistic regression was carried out to evaluate the association between complement C3 levels and the presence of MAFLD after adjustment for demographic and biochemical variables. Mediation effects were used to explore whether insulin resistance (IR), hyperlipidaemia and obesity mediated the association between complement C3 and MAFLD.

Results

Participants with MAFLD had higher complement C3 levels and complement C3 levels were closely associated with body mass index, waist circumference, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR. The presence of MAFLD increased with the increase of complement C3 levels and the presence of MAFLD were highest in the HOMA-IR ≥2.5 participants. We found the OR and Cl of standardised C3 for MAFLD was 1.333 (1.185–1.500), each 1 SD increase in C3 would increase the presence of MAFLD by 33.3%, and obesity partly mediated the effect of complement C3 on the presence of MAFLD.

Conclusions

The present results suggest that complement C3 can be used as a risk factor for the presence of MAFLD after adjustment for confounding variables and obesity may partly mediate the effect of complement C3 on the presence of MAFLD.

SUBMITTER: Feng L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8557272 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundAs a newly proposed diagnosis, data on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is rare. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of MAFLD using new definition in the contemporary South China population.MethodsIn this population based, cross sectional study, a total of 5377 participants aged 30-79 years old were recruited from the South China between 2018 and 2019. MAFLD was diagnosed in subjects who have both hepatic steatosis and metabolic disorders according to the newly international expert consensus. The total prevalence of MAFLD and prevalence by sex and age was estimated. Demographic characteristics, history of disease, and lifestyle were recorded by participants on a questionnaire. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed and evaluated by experienced sonographers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) of MAFLD.ResultsOverall prevalence of MAFLD was 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.0% to 30.5%). Prevalence was higher in women (31.7%) than in men (25.5%; p < 0.001 for sex difference) and in subjects aged 50 years or older (30.7%) than in those aged 30-49 years (19.8%; p < 0.001 for age difference). In participants diagnosed with MAFLD, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was up to 90.5%, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic dysregulation were 25.0% and 62.2%, respectively. Risk factors for MAFLD included overweight/obesity (OR = 4.67; 95% CI, 3.76-5.83), T2DM (OR = 2.41, 95% CI, 1.68-3.47), hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 2.42, 95% CI, 2.03-2.87), high school education (OR = 1.50, 95% CI, 1.23-1.82), high income (OR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.05-1.42). A lower risk of MAFLD was associated with high physical activity equivalent (OR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.60-0.85). A U-shaped association of frequency of soups and ORs of MAFLD was found, the adjusted ORs (95% CI) of lower and higher frequency of soups were 1.58 (1.32-1.89) and 1.36 (1.13-1.63), respectively.ConclusionsOur results showed a high prevalence of MAFLD in the general adult population in South China. Obesity has the greatest impact on MAFLD, physical activity and moderate consumption of soups might be the potential protective factors of MAFLD.