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Ceruloplasmin, ferritin levels associated with NASH

PHILADELPHIA — Low ceruloplasmin and high ferritin levels were associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, according to data presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting.

“Lower levels of ceruloplasmin as antioxidant and higher levels of ferritin oxidative stress marker are significantly associated with NASH,” Danny Issa, MD, of Cleveland Clinic, said during his presentation. “The ceruloplasmin ferritin ratio might be helpful in diagnosing patients with NASH.”

Researchers collected serum samples of ceruloplasmin, ferritin, iron and transferrin saturation from 123 patients who had previous liver biopsy to calculate the ceruloplasmin to ferritin ratio and conclude whether the ratio was associated with NASH in patients with NAFLD. Fifty-two percent of patients had NASH and 51% had fibrosis.

The mean ceruloplasmin level was lower (P=.004) and mean ferritin level was higher (P=.001) in patients with NASH compared with those without NASH. The mean ceruloplasmin level was lower (P=.049) and ferritin level higher (P=.001) in patients with fibrosis compared with patients without fibrosis.  

After adjusting for multiple factors, researchers found the probability of having NASH decreased by 23% as ceruloplasmin increased by 5 units (OR=0.77; 95% CI, 0.62-0.95), the probability of having NASH increased by 10% every time ferritin levels decreased by 25 units (OR=1.1; 95% CI, 1.05-1.2) and NASH probability decreases by 75% every time ceruloplasmin and ferritin ratio increased by 0.5 units (OR=0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.69).  

For more information:

Issa D. Abstract 29. Presented at: ACG Annual Scientific Meeting, Oct. 20-22, 2014; Philadelphia.

Disclosure: Relevant financial disclosures were not provided by researchers.