Abstract
Background. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Mean platelet
volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet activation, is an emerging risk factor for atherothrombosis.
Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of MPV in subjects with NAFLD having no confounding factors for
atherosclerosis such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. In addition, the possible relationship between MPV and
carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT), a well known marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, was also studied.
Methods. MPV and CIMT levels were measured in 60 biopsy-proven NAFLD subjects and 54 healthy controls. Age and sex
were similar between two groups.
Results. Body mass index and waist circumference levels were higher in the NAFLD group when compared to the controls.
There were no differences between the two groups regarding LDL cholesterol levels, whereas HDL cholesterol levels were
lower in the NAFLD group. MPV and CIMT levels were not different between the two groups. According to the correlation
analyses, CIMT levels were positively correlated to age in patients with NAFLD. However, no significant correlation was
found between MPV and CIMT levels.
Conclusions. The results of this study do not show any difference in MPV levels between subjects with NAFLD and controls.
These finding suggests that in the absence of other metabolic risk factors, MPV might not be involved in the mechanism(s) of
increased cardiovascular risk in NAFLD.