Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a component of metabolic syndrome, which is a marker of increased cardiovascular risk. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is an independent prognostic factor of cardiovascular risk. Adiponectin is an adipose – tissue hormone and has vasculoprotective effects. We investigated whether NAFLD is associated with impaired arterial function and the role of adiponectin in this relation.

Methods: We studied 19 hypertensive patients (age 57±12 years, 9 males) with biopsy evidence of NAFLD, and 14 hypertensive control subjects adjusted for classical risk factors. The changes in the diameter of the brachial artery were measured in response to reactive hyperemia and also in response to nitroglycerin. Adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA kit.

Results: NAFLD subjects had significantly reduced flow-mediated vasodilation (2.07±2.26% vs 5.57± 2.8%, p<0.01), while nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation did not differ among the two groups. Systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure were not different among the two groups. NAFLD subjects had significantly reduced levels of adiponectin (8.98±6.32 μg/ml vs 17.08±8.57 μg/ml, p<0.01) compared to controls. Interestingly enough, adiponectin levels were associated with flow-mediated dilation (r=0.403, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Although the initiating events that trigger the impaired arterial function in NAFLD patients cannot be ascertained, the role of adipocytokines may identify a potential basis.