Correlation study between serum antinuclear antibody and pathological characteristics of metabolic associated fatty liver disease

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To assess the association of serum antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers with clinicopathological features and immune indicators in patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods We enrolled 133 biopsy-confirmed MAFLD patients at Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2015 to December 2021, excluding those with other liver diseases. ANA titers (≥1∶80 considered positive) were measured. The relationships between ANA titer and lobular inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, steatosis grade, NAFLD Activity Score (NAS), liver fibrosis grade and IgG levels were analyzed. Results ANA positivity (≥1∶80) was found in 75.9% (101/133) of patients, with titers of 1∶80 in 61.4%, 1∶160 in 27.7%, and ≥1∶320 in 10.9%. ANA-positive patients were more often female (72.3% vs. 40.6%, P<0.001) and older (P<0.001). High-titer patients (ANA≥1∶160, n=38) had higher hepatocyte ballooning scores (P=0.017) and IgG levels (1 664±333 vs. 1 353±381 mg/dL, P<0.001) compared to low-titer patients (ANA≤1∶80, n=95). No significant differences were observed in lobular inflammation, steatosis, NAS or fibrosis stage between groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion Higher ANA titers are associated with increased hepatocyte ballooning and elevated IgG levels in MAFLD, but not with inflammation, steatosis, NAS or fibrosis. ANA may contribute to immune-mediated hepatocyte injury, warranting further investigation into its role in disease progression.

Key words: Metabolic associated fatty liver disease, Antinuclear antibody, Pathological features, Immunoglobulin G

WANG Xiao-ming, GUO Tian-tian, CHANG Liu-yi, LUO Juan, WANG Yu, OU Xiao-juan, JIA Ji-dong, ZHAO Xin-yan. Correlation study between serum antinuclear antibody and pathological characteristics of metabolic associated fatty liver disease[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2026, 31(5): 668-672.

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