Secretory phospholipase A₂ activity is linked to hypercholesterolemia and gender in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease individuals

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the metabolic syndrome, which is a constellation of insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia and inflammation. During the inflammatory process polyunsaturated fatty acids are converted into proinflammatory hydroperoxides by the action of lipoxygenases, e.g. secretory phospholipase A₂ (sPLA₂).

Aim: The role of sPLA₂ during progression of inflammation in NAFLD is practically unknown; therefore the aim of the study was to investigate sPLA₂ activity in NAFLD patients.

Material and methods: Ninety-two patients with NAFLD and 20 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. sPLA₂ activity in plasma was evaluated by the ELISA method.

Results: There were no differences between NAFLD and healthy individuals in sPLA₂ activity but among NAFLD individuals high sPLA₂ activity was linked to male gender and high concentration of plasma cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). A trend for a correlation between 8-epi-PGF_2α III concentration in plasma and sPLA₂ activity was observed.

Conclusions: sPLA₂ is one of the main factors associated with progression of inflammatory diseases including NAFLD. A positive correlation between total cholesterol in plasma and activity of sPLA₂ in men may contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD as well as progression to steatohepatitis according to novel “one hit” theory.