Affiliations: [a]
Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| [b] International Physical Examination and Healthy Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| [c] Division of Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| [d] Department of Intensive Care Unit, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Rui-tao Wang, Department of Intensive Care Unit, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, NO.150 Haping ST, Nangang District, Harbin 150081, China. Tel./Fax: +86 451 86298036; E-mail: ruitaowang@126.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent risk factor for increased cardiovascular disease. Altered hemorheological parameters have also been shown to play a crucial role in atherogenesis. Moreover, increased viscosity is observed in insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. A recent study confirmed that whole blood viscosity (WBV) is a predictor of cardiovascular events. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the association of WBV with NAFLD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationship between WBV and NAFLD in 1329 subjects (962 men and 367 women) in a general health examination. RESULTS: WBV at low shear stress was elevated in patients with NAFLD. In addition, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD increased as WBV quartiles increased both in men and in women. Multiple regression analysis further identified WBV as an independent and significant determinant for NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that WBV at low shear stress is increased in NAFLD. Moreover, WBV at low shear stress is independently associated with NAFLD even after adjusting other cardiovascular risk factors.
