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. 2014 Jul 2;9(7):e101444. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101444

Figure 3. Adipocytokine profiles differ between NAFLD and ALD patients regardless of cirrhotic alterations.

Figure 3

Adipokines are cytokines produced by the adipose tissue, which may affect other organ systems, including the liver. Adiponectin (A) is an anti-inflammatory and probably cell-protective adipokine, which is low in obese patients. In the NAFLD group (note: mean BMI 25.6) reduced adiponectin serum concentrations were found. Differences to both ALD groups were significant. While the ALDNC group exhibited values around normal ranges and above, the adiponectin levels in cirrhotic ALD were strongly increased and significantly different from the non-cirrhotic group. TNF-alpha (B) is a pleiotropic, generally pro-inflammatory cytokine. Surprisingly serum TNF-alpha was low in NAFLD, with significantly higher values in non-cirrhotic ALD. In ALDC patients a strong elevation of serum TNF-alpha was observed, which was significant compared to both non-cirrhotic groups. *, *** = p<0.05 or 0.0001 vs. NAFLD. ##, ### = p<0.01 or 0.0001 vs. ALDC.