Irisin and adropin decrease in preobese or obese individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background/aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease that is commonly observed in individuals with obesity. The present study investigates the irisin and adropin levels of sera in preobese or obese adults with NAFLD. Materials and methods: Included in the study were 89 patients who were categorized into four groups: Group 1: 25 normal-weight individuals without NAFLD (Control group); Group 2: 17 preobese or obese individuals without NAFLD; Group 3: 24 preobese or obese individuals with Grade 1 NAFLD; and Group 4: 23 preobese or obese individuals with Grade 2–3 NAFLD. The demographic details of all participants were recorded. Abdominal ultrasonography and anthropometric assessments were conducted. Serum adropin and irisin levels were determined using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: Serum adropin and irisin levels were lower in Groups 3 and 4 than in Group 1 (between the all groups; p = 0.006, p = 0.001, respectively), but were comparable between Groups 3 and 4. Furthermore, the atherogenic index of Group 1 was lower than that of Group 4 (p < 0.001). Among the hemogram parameters, the red cell distribution width value was higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p = 0.031). Conclusion: Serum adropin and irisin levels decrease in the presence of NAFLD, regardless of disease severity, which may play a role in the development and exacerbation of NAFLD in preobese and obese individuals. © TÜBİTAK doi:10.55730/130.