Liver Fatty Acid-binding Protein (L-FABP) as a Diagnostic Marker for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Bahnasawy, Sherif Ali Mohamed; El Gammal, Nahla El Sayed; El Attar, Nahla Ibrahim; El-Gebaly, Ahmed M.

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2023.305534

Liver Fatty Acid-binding Protein (L-FABP) as a Diagnostic Marker for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2023.305534

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide; thus, an early and accurate diagnosis will improve the prognosis therapeutic interventions.
Aim: To assess the diagnostic value of liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) for liver injury in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Patients and methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted at the Hepatology, Gastroenterology, and Infectious Diseases Clinics, Zagagzig University Hospitals, Egypt on 60 participants divided into three groups: 20 members of the NAFLD in group I had high liver enzymes, 20 members of the NAFLD in group II had normal liver enzymes and 20 members of the healthy control group in group III. L-FABP was measured in all subjects.
Results: Regarding L-FABP levels, all of the examined groups showed a significant statistical difference; group I had higher levels than groups II and III, whereas group II had higher levels than group III.
Conclusion: The diagnostic biomarker fatty acid-binding liver protein is very useful for NAFLD and a good diagnostic tool of fatty liver injury as its concentrations reflect the level invasion of fat into the liver tissue.