Carulli L, Canedi I, Rondinella S, Lombardini S, Ganazzi D, Fargion S, De Palma M, Lonardo A, Ricchi M, Bertolotti M, Carulli N, Loria P. Genetic polymorphisms in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: interleukin-6-174G/C polymorphism is associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Dig Liver Dis 2009;
41:823-8. [PMID:
19403348 DOI:
10.1016/j.dld.2009.03.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2008] [Revised: 03/10/2009] [Accepted: 03/14/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Environmental and genetic factors play a role in the pathogenesis and natural history of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
METHODS
In 114 subjects with NAFLD we report the prevalence and correlation with clinical parameters of three polymorphisms: interleukin-6 (-174G/C), plasma cell differentiation antigen (K121Q) and microsomal transfer protein (-493G/T). In 59 biopsied patients with NAFLD the polymorphisms were also related to histological features.
RESULTS
IL-6 -174C variant was more prevalent (p<0.01) in NAFLD compared to controls. In the NAFLD group, C carriers had higher HOMA-IR and fasting insulin than G carriers (p<0.05). The prevalence of IL-6/C variant was higher (83%) in biopsied than in not biopsied subjects (66%) (p<0.05). In biopsied subjects, C carriers had higher HOMA and fasting insulin (p<0.05) compared than those with G allele. The prevalence of IL-6 -174G/C polymorphism was significantly higher in NASH than in NAFLD (p=0.048). At logistic regression analysis IL-6 -174C was an independent predictor of both NAFLD (OR 4.116, C.I. 1.126-15.048) and NASH (OR 7.035, C.I. 1.167-42.394). Conversely, the distribution of PC-1 and MTP polymorphisms was not significantly different compared to the control group, nor associated with clinical or histological characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that IL-6 -174C genetic polymorphisms, involved in inflammation and insulin resistance, are associated with NASH. These data may contribute to the understanding of the genetic susceptibility to NAFLD.
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