Compared to the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) group, the level of IGF-1 was significantly higher in the Non- or probable-NASH group (SMD: 1.42, 95% CI: 0.25-2.58, P = 0.02).
Hepatic IGF-1 expression levels reflecting GH action were significantly lower and fasting glucose concentrations higher in patients with NASH than in patients with simple steatosis.
Mean serum IGF-1 was lower in subjects with lobular inflammation (112±47 vs. 136±57 ng/ml, P=0.01), hepatocyte ballooning (115±48 vs. 135±57 ng/ml, P=0.05), higher fibrosis stage (stage 2-4 vs. 0-1; 96±40 vs. 125±51 ng/ml, P=0.005), and NASH (109±45 vs. 136±57 ng/ml, P=0.002).