A retrospective case control study identifies peripheral blood mononuclear cell albumin RNA expression as a biomarker for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) improves after bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to determine whether peripheral blood mononuclear cell albumin gene expression was related to NAFLD and whether albumin (ALB) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) expression could be detected in whole blood and visceral adipose tissue.

Methods: Using a retrospective case control study design, RNA isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients prior to undergoing bariatric surgery was used for pooled microarray analysis.