Relationship Between Thyroid Hormone and Liver Steatosis Analysis Parameter in Obese Participants: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Objective

The thyroid hormone has been demonstrated to be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in different populations. However, the relationship between thyroid hormone and the degree of liver steatosis in overweight/obese subjects is still unclear. Liver ultra-sound attenuation (LiSA) is a newly developed ultrasound attenuation parameter for the analysis of hepatic steatosis. The study aimed to characterize the relationship between thyroid hormone and LiSA in overweight/obese participants.

Methods

This case-control study was performed in Ningbo First Hospital, China. A total of 24 lean, 66 overweight and 49 obese participants were consecutively recruited from January 2021 to May 2021. Thyroid hormone and other clinical features were measured. LiSA was acquired by using a Hepatus ultrasound machine. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations of LiSA and clinic indices.

Results

Obese subjects had higher LiSA, fT3 and TSH levels than lean participants of similar age and sex (P < 0.05). LiSA was positively associated with the fT3 level. The multiple linear regression analyses showed that fT3 (ß = 0.353, P < 0.001) was independently associated with LiSA in overweight/obese participants.

Conclusion

The fT3 level was independently associated with the degree of liver steatosis among the overweight/obese participants.

Keywords:

• LiSA
• obesity
• NAFLD
• thyroid hormone

Data Sharing Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethics Statement

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ningbo First Hospital and was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Acknowledgments

Shuqin Chen and Yong Jin contributed equally to this work. The study was supported by the Major Program of Social Development of Ningbo Science and Technology Bureau (Grant No. 2019C50094) and the Medical Health Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. 2020KY255).

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.