Search Results (415)

Background and Objectives: Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is a frequent and clinically significant complication in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing coronary angiography. Early and accurate risk stratification remains challenging with conventional models that rely on linear assumptions and limited variable integration. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the predictive performance of multiple machine learning (ML) algorithms with traditional logistic regression and the Mehran risk score for CA-AKI prediction and to explore key determinants of risk using explainable artificial intelligence methods. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 1741 patients with AMI who underwent coronary angiography. CA-AKI was defined according to KDIGO criteria. Multiple ML models, including gradient boosting machine (GBM), random forest (RF), XGBoost, support vector machine, elastic net, and standard logistic regression were developed using routinely available clinical and laboratory variables. A weighted ensemble model combining the best-performing algorithms was constructed. Model discrimination was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), along with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Model interpretability was evaluated using feature importance and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results: CA-AKI occurred in 356 patients (20.4%). In multivariable logistic regression, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, higher contrast volume, lower sodium, lower hemoglobin, and higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were independently associated with CA-AKI. Among ML approaches, the weighted ensemble model demonstrated the highest discriminative performance (AUC 0.721), outperforming logistic regression and the Mehran risk score (AUC 0.608). Importantly, the ensemble model achieved a consistently high NPV (0.942), enabling reliable identification of low-risk patients. Explainability analyses revealed that inflammatory markers, particularly NLR, along with sodium, uric acid, baseline renal indices, and contrast burden, were the most influential predictors across models. Conclusions: In patients with AMI undergoing coronary angiography, interpretable ML models, especially ensemble and gradient boosting-based approaches, provide superior risk stratification for CA-AKI compared with conventional methods. The high negative predictive value highlights their clinical utility in safely identifying low-risk patients and supporting individualized, risk-adapted preventive strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hyperuricemia (HUA) is the second most common metabolic disease in China (24.5% in males, 3.6% in females), which can induce multiple complications such as gout and diabetes. Existing urate-lowering drugs have significant hepatorenal toxicity, necessitating safe lifestyle interventions. Electrolyzed alkaline water (EAW) as daily drinking water has shown preliminary effectiveness, but it lacks randomized controlled evidence and mechanistic studies at the microbiome–metabolome interface. Methods: We conducted a 12-week randomized controlled trial in 40 adults aged 18–65 years with elevated serum uric acid (SUA). Participants consumed either 1.5 L/day of EAW (pH 8.5–9.5) or purified water (pH 7.0). Clinical indicators, quality of life (SF-36), gut microbiota, and gut metabolomics were comprehensively assessed to evaluate intervention efficacy and explore potential mechanisms. Results: After 12 weeks, the EAW group exhibited a larger reduction in serum uric acid than the control group, along with improvements in selected physical health-related quality-of-life measures. Modest differences in gut microbial composition were observed between groups. Metabolomic analyses identified group-level differences in metabolites enriched in pathways related to purine metabolism and other urate-associated metabolic processes. Conclusions: This pilot randomized controlled trial suggests that consumption of EAW is associated with a modest reduction in serum uric acid. Exploratory multi-omics analyses indicate concurrent changes in gut microbiota and metabolic profiles. These findings support further investigation of electrolyzed alkaline water as a potential adjunctive, non-pharmacological option for hyperuricemia in larger and longer-term studies. Ethics: This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry under the identifier ChiCTR2500100190. Ethical approval for the present study was granted by the Nankai University Institutional Review Board (NKUIRB2025001, 23 January 2025). Full article

Anthracycline’s clinical application is often hampered by severe life-threatening cardiotoxicity, which could result in death in approximately one-third of patients. Previous studies have found that during the anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC), uric acid (UA) levels increase abnormally. However, the role of UA in AIC remains elusive. Here, we conducted a correlation analysis between UA and cardiac damage markers (NT-pro-BNP, hs-cTnT, LDH, CRP and hs-CRP) by using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database (NHANES); the results revealed that the elevated UA levels showed significant positive associations with the levels of several cardiac damage markers. Secondly, molecular docking experiments suggested potential binding interactions between UA and BNP, cTnT, CRP, and LDH. Finally, animal experiments were performed to validate this correlation we explored and further validated the effect of UA on AIC by adding or lowering UA in animal models. We observed that under high uric acid (HUA) conditions, AIC not only manifested earlier but also progressed more severely. In contrast, AIC was alleviated under UA clearance conditions. Collectively, these results suggested that HUA might be an important contributing factor in the development and progression of AIC, supporting the further investigation of UA-lowering strategies for potential prevention. This work might offer new prevention and treatment strategies for AIC. Full article

Background: d-Limonene (LIM) is a food-derived monoterpenoid phytocompound predominantly found in citrus peels, endowed with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been reported to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in vitro. This study investigated the dose-sparing efficacy of this dietary bioactive compound in combination with low-dose allopurinol (ALP) using a dual rat model combining potassium oxonate (PO)-induced hyperuricemia and monosodium urate (MSU)-triggered gouty arthritis, thereby capturing both metabolic and inflammatory dimensions of gout. Methods: Female Wistar rats were PO-primed and MSU-challenged, then treated with LIM (50 mg/kg), ALP (5 or 10 mg/kg), or LIM + ALP. Outcomes included paw thickness, dysfunction and inflammation indices, serum uric acid, urea, creatinine, AST/ALT, cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, catalase, GSH), and NLRP3 immunoreactivity, supported by radiographic and histopathological analyses. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: LIM improved clinical and biochemical outcomes versus monotherapies. However, LIM + low-dose ALP exhibited the greatest overall efficacy. On Day 30, paw thickness was significantly lower with LIM + ALP than with LIM alone (3.25 ± 0.31 vs. 3.98 ± 0.72 mm; p < 0.001). Serum uric acid and hepatic transaminases declined most with the combination (p < 0.0001 vs. LIM), accompanied by improved renal indices (p < 0.001). Pro-inflammatory cytokines were markedly reduced, NLRP3 immunostaining was minimal, and oxidative balance shifted toward homeostasis (↓ MDA; ↑ SOD, catalase, GSH). Radiographic and histological evaluations corroborated attenuation of joint inflammation and tissue damage. Conclusions: In the PO + MSU gout model, co-administration of the food-derived compound LIM with low-dose ALP achieved additive, dose-sparing benefits across metabolic, inflammatory, and histological endpoints. While in vivo XO activity was not directly assessed, the findings are consistent with XO-pathway modulation, NLRP3–IL-1β suppression, and redox restoration. These results highlight the potential of dietary bioactives such as d-Limonene to complement standard urate-lowering therapy, warranting further pharmacokinetic and safety validation. Full article

Background/objectives: Chronic degenerative complications of diabetes, such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, contribute to an increased morbimortality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and thus, a multifactorial approach becomes essential. Among the classes of antihyperglycemic agents with beneficial pleiotropic cardiorenal effects, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have proven to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) and renal events. This study aims to assess the impact of treatment with GLP-1 RA on CV risk factors, insulin sensitivity, and renal function in Romanian patients with T2D. Methods: In an observational retrospective study, 150 patients with T2D were evaluated at the start of therapy with a GLP-1 RA and then after 6 and 12 months. Results: After 12 months of treatment, 59.3% of patients succeeded in achieving weight loss of over 5% of their initial weight, and 24.7% of patients achieved weight loss of over 10% of their initial weight, with the most significant decrease being measured in the first 6 months. HbA1c has shown a similar profile, with a significant reduction in the first 6 months of treatment, continued at a slower rate in the following 6 months. Additionally, the lipid profile, blood pressure values, and uric acid values, alongside the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDLc) ratio and the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index have improved in these T2D patients treated with GLP-1 RA, while their eGFR decrease was slower than the one expected for similar populations without such a pharmacologic agent in their regimen. Conclusions: Treatment with GLP-1 RA in patients with T2D is associated with an improved cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic risk profile, ameliorated glycemic control, reduced weight, lower insulin resistance, and slower kidney disease progression. Full article

Objective: This study evaluated the association of the uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR) and platelet indices—mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR)—in predicting hypervascularization in placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and compared clinical and perinatal characteristics among PAS, placenta previa, and healthy pregnancies. Methods: This retrospective study included 229 pregnant women managed and delivered at a tertiary hospital (PAS, n = 76; previa, n = 77; healthy controls, n = 76) between January 2023 and January 2025. Hypervascularization was staged using the ultrasonographic PAS scoring system: PAS0 (placenta previa without hypervascularization), PAS1 (abnormal placental findings without hypervascularization), PAS2 (uterovesical hypervascularization), and PAS3 (extensive vascularity to the parametrial area). The final diagnosis and severity of PAS were confirmed intraoperatively according to the FIGO clinical classification criteria. Platelet indices and UAR were obtained from preoperative blood tests. Results: Compared with placenta previa (PAS0) and control groups, PAS1–3 cases had higher gravidity, parity, previous cesarean history, postpartum hemorrhage, hysterectomy, and transfusion rates (all p < 0.001). In the high hypervascularization subgroup (PAS2–3, n = 38), MPV (median 10.3 fL) and PDW (11.6%) were significantly lower than in low/absent hypervascularization cases (PAS0–1) (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). UAR showed no significant difference (p = 0.891). Conclusions: Lower MPV and PDW were associated with hypervascularization in PAS and may serve as non-invasive adjunctive markers for risk stratification. Their predictive performance was modest, and UAR had no diagnostic value, likely due to physiological changes in pregnancy. Further prospective, multicenter research is needed to validate these findings. Full article

Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai (CF), a traditional food in East Asia and a recent addition to clinical dietary recommendations, has demonstrated potential for managing hyperuricemia. However, its bioactive components and therapeutic mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we used an integrative approach incorporating serum pharmacochemistry, metabolomics, bioinformatics, molecular docking, and in vitro/vivo validation to investigate CF’s effects and mechanisms in hyperuricemia. In hyperuricemic mice, CF significantly reduced serum uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, improved kidney histopathology, and restored redox balance by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and GSH-Px) while lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Metabolomic analysis revealed that CF modulated pathways associated with oxidative stress, including purine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and α-linolenic acid metabolism, to reverse hyperuricemia-associated metabolic perturbations. Correlation analysis between differential metabolites and serum-absorbed constituents identified androsin, cynaroside, and salicin as potential bioactive compounds. These compounds showed high predicted binding affinities to COX-1, PGE2, and XOD in molecular docking, and these interactions were validated by in vitro assays, where the compounds effectively suppressed inflammatory cytokine production and inhibited XOD activity. Overall, CF exerts anti-hyperuricemic and renoprotective effects through coordinated regulation of purine metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress, supporting its potential as a functional food or complementary therapy for hyperuricemia-related conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rasburicase is licensed for the management of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) at a daily dose of 0.2 mg/kg intravenously for five days. The use of a single-dose treatment is popular in adult oncology but information in pediatric use is limited. Methods: From a literature search, all case reports and series, and comparative studies in which pediatric oncology patients received a single dose of rasburicase were selected for further analysis. Treatment success was determined by normalization of serum uric acid in the absence of serious complications. Results: Twelve articles with a total of 243 children were included. A fixed-dose regimen was used in 195, while 153 received weight-based dosing. With fixed dosing, successful treatment was seen in 91.8% and 82.9% at rasburicase doses ≥3 mg and 1.5 mg, respectively (p = 0.23). However, there were four mortalities in the lower-dose group. For weight-based dosing, success was observed in 89.2% and 66.7% at doses ≥0.15 mg/kg and <0.15 mg/kg, respectively (p = 0.0029). One child required dialysis in the lower-dose group. Conclusions: Single dose of rasburicase for the prophylaxis and treatment of TLS in pediatric oncology is an appealing approach with potentially less financial impact and drug toxicity. A fixed dose of at least 3 mg or 0.15 mg/kg by body weight is recommended. Full article

Background and Objectives: Grade 4 adult-type diffuse gliomas remain the most aggressive primary central nervous system malignancies, with limited prognostic tools beyond molecular classification. This study introduces the HALLMOUNT score, a multidimensional prognostic index integrating hematologic, biochemical, and clinical parameters to capture the interplay between tumor biology and systemic host response. Materials and Methods: A total of 227 patients with histologically confirmed grade 4 adult-type diffuse glioma were retrospectively analyzed. The HALLMOUNT score incorporated nine pretreatment variables: hemoglobin, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lymphocyte, monocyte, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, uric acid, neutrophil, and thrombocyte counts. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses determined optimal cut-offs, and Cox regression models evaluated prognostic performance for overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: High HALLMOUNT scores (≥2.5) were significantly associated with older age, comorbidities, poor ECOG status, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wild phenotype, lower resection rates, and reduced treatment responses. ROC analysis showed predictive accuracy comparable to CAR and PIV (AUC = 0.650). High scores independently predicted inferior OS (HR = 2.78, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR = 2.76, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The HALLMOUNT score provides a simple, cost-effective, and biologically grounded biomarker reflecting both tumor aggressiveness and host vulnerability. It enables refined risk stratification, supports individualized therapeutic planning, and warrants prospective validation in molecularly defined and multicenter cohorts. Full article

Background/Objective: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a key microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), drives significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to renal dysfunction, but its role in DN remains unclear. This study assessed the association between vitamin D status and DN versus T2DM without nephropathy. Methods: This cross-sectional hospital-based study included 399 participants (299 DN, 100 T2DM without nephropathy) at a tertiary endocrine clinic. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical data, including serum 25(OH)D, were collected. Chi-square and Mann–Whitney compared categorical and continuous variables, respectively, and multinomial logistic regression assessed the association between vitamin D status and DN (p < 0.05). Results: Patients with DN were older (58.2 ± 7.95 vs. 51.4 ± 9.94 years, p < 0.001), had more advanced CKD (stages 2–3b: 84.6% vs. 20.0%, p < 0.001), and higher albuminuria (moderate: 80.3% vs. 19.0%; severe: 18.4% vs. 0%, p < 0.001). They also showed poorer glycemic control, elevated urea and creatinine, lower serum albumin, dyslipidemia, elevated liver enzymes, and higher uric acid (all p < 0.05). Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in DN (37.7% vs. 8.0%, p < 0.001). Unadjusted multinomial regression indicated that T2DM patients without nephropathy had a 91% lower risk of vitamin D deficiency (RRR 0.09; 95% CI 0.04–0.19, p < 0.001) and an 87% lower risk of insufficiency (RRR 0.13; 95% CI 0.05–0.26, p < 0.001) compared with DN patients. After adjusting for age, HbA1c, creatinine, duration of diabetes and eGFR, the reduced risk of deficiency remained significant (RRR 0.04; 95% CI 0.01–0.16, p < 0.001), while the association with insufficiency was no longer significant (p = 0.310). Conclusions: This study shows a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic nephropathy, though its cross-sectional design precludes causal inference. Reverse causality and residual confounding cannot be excluded. Patients with DN had poorer glycemic control, dyslipidemia, and renal function, along with more frequent vitamin D deficiency. Routine vitamin D monitoring may support early detection and risk stratification in T2DM. Full article

This study presents the phenotypic characterization and genomic mining of uric acid catabolism genes in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum YC, a novel food-grade lactic acid bacterium isolated from traditional fermented vegetables with potent uric acid-lowering activity. YC is non-hemolytic, catalase- and gelatinase-negative, exhibits strong adhesion and broad antibacterial activity, and degrades 29.22% of uric acid in vitro, along with complete (100%) degradation of inosine and guanosine. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 3,214,448 bp chromosome encoding 3026 protein-coding genes. Comparative genomics-based functional annotation highlighted abundant CAZy-related genes and antimicrobial factors, including lysozyme and monooxygenase. Crucially, genomic mining identified a complete uric acid degradation gene cluster, comprising pucK (uric acid permease), hpxO (uric acid hydroxylase), eight copies of hiuH (5-hydroxyisourate hydrolase), allB (allantoinase), and purine nucleoside transport/metabolism genes (rihA, rihB, rihC, pbuG). This work provides the first comparative genomic insight into the genetic architecture and distribution of uric acid metabolism in L. plantarum, elucidating YC’s dual urate-lowering mechanism and delivering key molecular markers for developing enzyme-based functional foods and microbial therapeutics against hyperuricemia. Full article

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis triggered by monosodium urate crystal deposition, especially in obese patients. However, distinctions between the characteristics of obese and non-obese patients with gout remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the clinical differences by body mass index (BMI) with gout. We conducted a single-center retrospective cross-sectional study of 269 patients with gout from March 2020 to May 2024. Patients were classified into two groups: underweight/normal BMI and overweight/obesity. Baseline demographics, laboratory data, and clinical outcomes were compared between these groups. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of underweight/normal BMI in gout patients. The underweight/normal BMI group included 35 patients (13.0%), characterized by older age, a higher proportion of females, and a lower prevalence of hypertension and alcohol consumption. This group also demonstrated lower uric acid, lipid profile, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels but had a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Logistic regression analysis identified female sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.831, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.254–11.705, p = 0.018), presence of hypertension (OR 0.367, 95% CI 0.166–0.809, p = 0.013), total cholesterol (OR 0.990, 95% CI 0.982–0.999, p = 0.031), and ALT (OR 0.967, 95% CI 0.941–0.995, p = 0.019) as significant predictors of underweight/normal BMI gout. Understanding these characteristics may improve the identification of underweight/normal BMI subgroups, leading to improved approaches for gout management. Full article

Background: Pediatric hypertension is an increasingly recognized health concern and is commonly influenced by modifiable factors such as dietary sodium intake and obesity and non-modifiable factors like family history of hypertension. Urinary sodium excretion provides an objective surrogate marker of sodium consumption and may be associated with blood pressure severity. This study aimed to evaluate urinary sodium excretion in children with primary hypertension (PH) and to test the hypothesis that higher sodium excretion is associated with less favorable clinical, biochemical, and blood pressure parameters. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional, single-center study analyzed data from 369 hypertensive patients and 59 healthy children. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PH and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results were included in the study group. Clinical, anthropometric, laboratory, echocardiographic, and blood pressure data were examined, and sodium excretion was evaluated using both the spot urine sodium-to-creatinine ratio and 24-h urinary sodium per kilogram of body weight. Results: Children with hypertension exhibited higher urinary sodium excretion compared to the control group. Sodium excretion of the hypertensive group, measured using the sodium/creatinine ratio and 24 h urinary sodium excretion per kilogram, was positively correlated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the urinary potassium/creatinine ratio, and the urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio. Moreover, negative correlations were observed for both parameters with age, body weight, serum uric acid, and left ventricular mass. In the multivariate analysis, weighted Z-score (beta = −0.393), age (beta = −0.293), 25-OHD (beta = 0.182), and arterial hypertension in the father (beta = 0.166) predicted 24 h urinary sodium excretion. Children with excessive sodium excretion had a significantly higher systolic blood pressure load over 24 h. Conclusions: Urinary sodium excretion is elevated in children with PH. Children with a lower weight for their age, who are younger, and who have a father with arterial hypertension might be at higher risk of excessive urine excretion. Our findings underscore the clinical importance of dietary sodium reduction as a non-pharmacological therapeutic target, especially in these patient populations. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate its impact on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in this population. Full article

Introduction: Hyperuricemia is increasingly recognized as a metabolic disorder linked to dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and vascular complications. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of hyperuricemia is rising with obesity and diabetes, yet its relationship with lipid-derived cardiometabolic indices remained understudied. This study aimed to examine the associations between uricemia status and lipid-derived cardiometabolic indices in a large adult cohort. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 7652 adults, including 5385 normouricemic (NU) and 2267 hyperuricemic (HU). Key cardiometabolic indices, including the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), remnant cholesterol (RC), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and Castelli risk indices I and II (CRI-I, CRI-II), were calculated. Associations were evaluated treating HU as the exposure and the lipid-derived cardiometabolic indices as the outcomes. Multivariable regression analyses, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and prevalence-based association estimates were used to assess these relationships. Results: HU individuals exhibited significantly higher TG along with lowered HDL-C. Median TyG (4.61), AIP (0.38), non-HDL-C (147 mg/dL), RC (18 mg/dL), CRI-I (4.30), and CRI-II (2.85) were higher in the HU group compared to NU group, with non-HDL-C and CRI-I falling within the abnormal range, AIP in the high-risk range, and TyG and CRI-II at borderline levels. Across the separately adjusted models, hyperuricemia showed consistent positive associations with RC, AIP, CRI-I, and CRI-II, whereas associations with TyG and non-HDL-C diminished after adjustment for renal or liver markers. ROC analysis demonstrated modest discriminatory ability of uric acid for elevated indices, with AIP (AUC = 0.641) and CRI-I (AUC = 0.640) exhibiting the highest performance. The prevalence of elevated indices was substantially higher in HU, particularly for CRI-II (44.0% vs. 25.9%) and CRI-I (28.2% vs. 13.7%). Conclusions: These findings highlight associations between HU and lipid-derived cardiometabolic indices, but further longitudinal research is required to determine whether HU has a clinical predictive value in cardiovascular risk assessment. Full article

Objectives: Serum ferritin (SF) reflects iron homeostasis, in addition to being an acute phase reactant protein. Since its levels are altered in the obesity state, we compared body composition, metabolic profile, liver alterations, and dietary patterns in adults stratified by SF levels (normal vs. high). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from 113 adults (≥18 years) of both sexes, attended at an outpatient nutrition clinic in southern Brazil and categorized for normal or high SF. Socioeconomic, anthropometric, blood pressure, dietary, biochemical, and liver parameters were assessed and statistical analyses performed. Results: Participants with high SF were more frequently male (p < 0.0001), married or in a civil union (p = 0.012), and had lower educational levels (p = 0.009). Moreover, higher rates of obesity (p = 0.003), cardiovascular risk (p = 0.004), increased body fat percentage (BF%; p = 0.002) and metabolic disturbances such as elevated glucose (p = 0.023), triglycerides (p = 0.003), insulin resistance (p = 0.027), hypertension (p = 0.001), and metabolic syndrome (MS) (p = 0.001) were noted in this group. Liver-related findings comprised increased ALT (p = 0.008), uric acid (p = 0.016), and indicators of steatosis (p = 0.022). Logistic regression demonstrated a higher likelihood of elevated SF among men (OR = 16.82) and individuals with increased BF% (OR = 7.5), without significant influence of diet. Conclusions: Adults with elevated SF were predominantly obese men with excess adiposity, insulin resistance, and metabolic and hepatic dysfunctions, conditions that increase the risk of MS and liver injury. These findings suggest that SF and other iron biomarkers may serve as valuable tools for diagnosing metabolic dysfunctions and obesity-related liver diseases, particularly Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Full article