Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Forbes tıp dergisi (Online), cilt.6, sa.2, ss.138-146, 2025 (Hakemli Dergi)
Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver condition with an increasing global prevalence. Magnesium and vitamin D are essential for various physiological functions. However, their potential relationships with NAFLD and liver fibrosis remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the correlation between serum magnesium and vitamin D, and liver fibrosis indices, including the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 414 patients underwent abdominal ultrasound for hepatic steatosis assessment. Data on demographics, laboratory parameters, and imaging findings were recorded. Patients were categorized by hepatosteatosis presence, and severity. Biochemical fibrosis scores and their relationships with NAFLD were evaluated.
Results: Serum magnesium levels were inversely correlated with the FIB-4 index (r=-0.101, p=0.045). Magnesium levels were higher in low-risk groups (FIB-4 <1.45) (p=0.006). Vitamin D was inversely associated with hepatic steatosis severity (r=-0.107, p=0.031) and with APRI scores in non-diabetic/non-hyperlipidemic patients (r=-0.383, p=0.044). Low magnesium levels were linked to increased hepatic steatosis in prediabetic patients (p=0.013). Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is positively correlated with steatosis severity (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Magnesium and vitamin D may have protective roles against hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Their inverse correlations with fibrosis indices suggest potential antifibrotic effects, and magnesium could play a role in NAFLD pathogenesis, particularly in prediabetic patients. These findings support further investigation of magnesium and vitamin D in fibrosis scoring and NAFLD management.