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Hepatic Biomarkers in Diabetes as Modulated by Dietary Phytochemicals

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Book cover Biomarkers in Liver Disease

Abstract

Both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and features of the metabolic syndrome are associated with hepatic insulin resistance, which may gradually progress to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and fibrosis. Biomarkers, including those related to glycemia, serum lipid profiles, lipid oxidation, inflammation, and levels of enzymes reflecting hepatocellular damage (e.g., aminotransferases), may reflect liver function in diabetes. New epidemiological data suggest that noninvasive imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, may provide better predictive biomarkers for NAFLD than circulating liver enzymes. Phytochemicals or plant-derived bioactive compounds present in foods, beverages, and herbal supplements have been shown to modulate biomarkers of liver function in clinical trials and mechanistic studies. Mediterranean diet and dietary phytochemicals, such as polyphenols derived from green tea, berries, olive oil, and resveratrol, have been shown to lower liver enzymes, liver fat content, and to improve hepatic insulin resistance and related biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, especially in the presence of adiposity and the metabolic syndrome. Herbs, such as silymarin and those used in traditional Chinese medicine (for example, hawthorn fruit extract), have also been shown to lower hepatic enzymes and markers of oxidative stress and to increase hepatic antioxidant status in patients with NAFLD. Other emerging biomarkers, such as cytokines and microRNAs, are also being evaluated for efficacy in monitoring and predicting liver dysfunction. Thus, selected phytochemicals, especially those occurring naturally in berries and grapes, tea, olives, nuts, and legumes, when used in the context of a low-calorie diet may have a role in treating liver dysfunction. The use of herbal supplements to modulate hepatic biomarkers requires further evaluation of safety and efficacy.

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Abbreviations

ALT:

Alanine aminotransferase

AST:

Aspartate aminotransferase

BMI:

Body mass index

CBS:

Cystathionine β-synthase

CHD:

Coronary heart disease

Cox-2:

Cyclooxygenase-2

CRP:

C-reactive protein

CSE:

Cystathionine γ-lyase

CT:

Computed tomography

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

GGT:

Gamma-glutamyl transferase

H2S:

Hydrogen sulfide

HMG CoA reductase:

Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase

HOMA-IR:

Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance

HS:

Hepatic steatosis

IL-2R:

Interleukin-2 receptor

IL-8:

Interleukin 8

Med diet:

Mediterranean diet

NAFLD:

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

NASH:

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

OLETF:

Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty

PGE2:

Prostaglandin E2

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

RCT:

Randomized controlled trial

SREBP-1c:

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c

SREBP-2:

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2

T2D:

Type 2 diabetes

TCM:

Traditional Chinese medicine

TGF-α:

Transforming growth factor alpha

TPS:

Tissue-polypeptide-specific antigen

VLDL:

Very low density lipoprotein

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Sciences, 301 Human Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA

    Arpita Basu

  2. Department of Biology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX, USA

    Paramita Basu

  3. Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

    Timothy J. Lyons

Authors
  1. Arpita Basu
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  2. Paramita Basu
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  3. Timothy J. Lyons
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Arpita Basu , Paramita Basu or Timothy J. Lyons .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Research Division, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

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Basu, A., Basu, P., Lyons, T.J. (2017). Hepatic Biomarkers in Diabetes as Modulated by Dietary Phytochemicals. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V. (eds) Biomarkers in Liver Disease. Biomarkers in Disease: Methods, Discoveries and Applications. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7675-3_35

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