Objective: To probe into the influence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection on glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory cytokines in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (MASLD).
Methods: A total of 140 MASLD patients admitted to our Hospital between June 2020 and May 2021 were selected as the research objects. Based on the presence or absence of Hp infection, they were divided into the study group (73 cases with infection) and control group (67 cases without infection). Glucose metabolism indicators [fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), fasting insulin (FINS), glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc)], lipid metabolism indicators [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)], and inflammatory indicators [interleukin-37 (IL-37), interleukin-18 (IL-18)] were measured and compared between the two groups.
Results: In terms of glucose metabolism indicators, the study group exhibited higher levels of FBG (5.84± 0.49 vs 5.40± 0.51, t=2.535, P=0.012), 2hPG (7.26± 1.30 vs 6.50± 1.53, t=3.321, P< 0.001), and FINS (11.13± 4.13 vs 9.12± 3.72, t=3.224, P< 0.001), and Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) (2.97± 0.35 VS 2.13± 0.54, t=3.761, P< 0.001) and a lower level of HbAlc (5.25± 0.56 vs 6.12± 0.57, t=5.473, P< 0.001) compared to the control group. Regarding lipid metabolism indicators, the study group exhibited higher levels of TC (5.64± 1.49 vs 5.01± 1.32, t=3.332, P< 0.001), TG (1.89± 0.34 vs 1.32± 0.43, t=3.411, P< 0.001), and LDL-C (3.31± 0.43 vs 2.12± 0.29, t=4.142, P< 0.001), and a lower level of HDL-C (1.45± 0.21 vs 1.78± 0.42, t=4.347, P< 0.001) compared to the control group. As for the inflammatory indicators, the study group exhibited higher levels of IL-37 (45.56± 6.02 vs 34.02± 3.28, t=9.332, P< 0.001) and IL-18 (73.57± 5.82 vs 60.34± 4.84, t=10.141, P< 0.001) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: It is crucial to place appropriate emphasis on the impact of Hp infection on the glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory response in MASLD patients, warranting careful consideration during the treatment of these patients.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, infection, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, inflammatory indicators