Decreased plasma levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

ObjectivesLevels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) have been linked to several components of the metabolic syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that plasma levels of sRAGE may be associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Design and methodsWe enrolled subjects with definite nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n = 40), borderline NASH (n = 8), simple fatty liver (n = 9) and healthy controls (n = 14). Plasma levels of sRAGE were measured by ELISA.ResultsConcentrations of sRAGE were significantly lower in patients with definite NASH (1080 ± 392 pg/mL, P < 0.01) and borderline NASH (1050 ± 278 pg/mL, P < 0.05) compared to controls (1480 ± 387 pg/mL). Levels of sRAGE were significantly and inversely correlated with ALT (r = − 0.30, P < 0.05) and AST (r = − 0.23, P < 0.05).ConclusionPlasma levels of sRAGE are significantly reduced in definite and borderline NASH.