Circulating long non-coding RNA TCONS_00016452 is inversely correlated with liver steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the circulating lncRNA TCONS_00016452 in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Methods: We analyzed a total of fifty patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy to confirm NASH, which is reviewed by one pathologist. Expression of circulating lncRNA TCONS_00016452 in plasma was compared using quantitative real- time polymerase chain reaction according to pathologic results. Results: Expression of circulating lncRNA TCONS_00016452 was significantly decreased in patients with severe steatosis compared to patients with minimal to moderate steatosis (13.9±16.0 vs 7.4±5.3, P=0.039. As the grade of steatosis was advanced, circulating lncRNA TCONS_00016452 was decreased (r-value=-0.29, P=0.004). However, circulating lncRNA TCONS_00016452 was decreased in patients with significant fibrosis compare to without significant fibrosis (8.3±5.1 vs 17.2±19.6, P=0.040). Conclusions: Circulating lncRNA TCONS_00016452 is inversely correlated with grade of liver steatosis in patients with NAFLD.