Serum dihomo-γ-linolenic acid concentration as a potential novel noninvasive biomarker for liver steatosis detection in children.

Aim of the study: To evaluate serum concentrations of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and associated long chain n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic (LA), arachidonic acid (AA)) together with estimated desaturase activities in obese children with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Material and methods: The prospective study included 57 children with obesity. MASLD was diagnosed according to the latest consensus. The total intrahepatic lipid content (TILC) was assessed by magnetic resonance proton spectroscopy (¹H-MRS). Fasting serum concentrations of LA, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and AA were measured. The estimated Δ5 desaturase (D5D) activity was calculated based on the AA to DGLA ratio and the estimated Δ6 desaturase (D6D) activity based on the DGLA to LA ratio.

Results: MASLD was diagnosed in 25 children. DGLA was significantly higher in children with obesity in comparison to the reference group (n = 19, p < 0.01). The DGLA/LA ratio was significantly elevated, while the AA/DGLA ratio was significantly lower in obese subjects compared with the reference group. DGLA concentration and estimated D6D activity correlated positively with TILC. The ability of DGLA concentration to detect liver steatosis in ¹HMRS was significant (AUC = 0.72, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Serum DGLA levels may be considered as a potential novel non-invasive biomarker for liver steatosis detection in children. The differences in the serum concentrations of DGLA, LA and AA between the groups and correlations found between their concentrations and other parameters suggest their potential role in pathogenesis and development of MASLD in children with obesity.