Relationship Between Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number, Metabolic Abnormalities and Hepatic Steatosis
Abstract Insulin resistance plays a central role in fatty liver, a part of the metabolic syndrome. This study examined the relationship between fatty liver, metabolic abnormalities and mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] copy number in peripheral blood that is correlated with diabetes or metabolic markers. Fatty liver was assessed by questionnaire on alcohol consumption and abdominal ultrasonography. MtDNA copy number in peripheral leukocytes was measured by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Among 445 subjects, 148 subjects had hepatic steatosis and 297 were controls. mtDNA copy number was significantly lower in fatty liver group in comparison with that of normal finding group. This result is similar in both groups, alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver group. MtDNA copy number was inversely correlated with alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], gamma-glutamyltransferase [γ-GTP], body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and free fatty acid. MtDNA copy number in peripheral leukocytes was associated with fatty liver and insulin resistance related factors.