ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The vitamin B12 absorption can be affected in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and low serum vitamin B12 levels has been related to the high homocysteine (HCY) levels and to the degree of NAFLD.
OBJECTIVE:
To carry out a systematic review and metanalysis of serum vitamin B12 and HCY levels in patients with NAFLD.
METHODS:
Original studies including serum vitamin B12 and HCY levels in humans with NAFLD were included. The searches were performed in four databases.
RESULTS:
159 studies were identified, and after excluding the duplicates and non-eligible titles, eight original articles were included. Six out of eight showed higher B12 levels in NAFLD patients (404.9±136.2 pg/mL in relation to controls 353.91±117.3 pg/mL). Seven of the eight studies also showed higher HCY levels in NAFLD patients (14.2±3.44 umol/L in relation to controls 11.05±3.6 umol/L). The results for serum vitamin B12 and HCY levels were submitted to metanalysis, showing no difference in the vitamin B12 levels between patients with NAFLD and controls. However, the levels of Hcy were higher in NAFLD patients than in controls.
CONCLUSION:
There was no relashionship between the vitamin B12 levels and NAFLD. The levels of HCY were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD, suggesting this could be a potential marker for liver damage.
Keywords:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; vitamin B12; vitamins; homocysteine
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