Combined effect of PNPLA3 rs738409 and UGT1A1 rs10929303 gene polymorphisms on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the combined effects of patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 (C > G) and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) rs10929303 (C > T) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children and adolescents so as to provide scientific evidence for NAFLD genetic research. Methods: 1 027 children and adolescents aged 7-18 were selected as the research subjects. The general situation, past medical history, height and body weight measurements, and B- mode ultrasound test of the liver were investigated by dedicated full-time personnel. In addition, the morning fasting venous blood was collected to measure the blood biochemical indicators. DNA was extracted and genotyped for PNPLA3 rs738409 and UGT1A1 rs10929303. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association and combined effect of the two gene polymorphisms and NAFLD. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or c2 test according to different data. Results: The GG genotype of PNPLA3 rs738409 and the CC genotype of UGT1A1 rs10929303 were associated with an increased risk of developing NAFLD in children by 89% (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.11-3.23, P = 0.019) and 96% (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.21-3.17, P = 0.006), respectively, while the concurrent risk of NAFLD in those who carried the above two genotypes increased by 306% compared with those who did not carry both genotypes (OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 1.90 ~ 8.66, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The combined effect of PNPLA3 and UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms can significantly increase the risk of NAFLD in children, providing new evidence for elucidating the genetic susceptibility to NAFLD.

Omic studies reveal the pathogenic lipid droplet proteins in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an epidemic metabolic condition driven by an underlying lipid homeostasis disorder. The lipid droplet (LD), the main organelle involved in neutral lipid storage and hydrolysis, is a potential target for NAFLD therapeutic treatment. In this review, we summarize recent progress elucidating the connections between LD-associated proteins and NAFLD found by genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genomic and proteomic studies. Finally, we discuss a possible mechanism by which the protein 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (17β-HSD13) may promote the development of NAFLD.

Genetic predisposition in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease whose prevalence has reached global epidemic proportions. Although the disease is relatively benign in the early stages, when severe clinical forms, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma, occur, they result in worsening the long-term prognosis. A growing body of evidence indicates that NAFLD develops from a complex process in which many factors, including genetic susceptibility and environmental insults, are involved. In this review, we focused on the genetic component of NAFLD, with special emphasis on the role of genetics in the disease pathogenesis and natural history. Insights into the topic of the genetic susceptibility in lean individuals with NAFLD and the potential use of genetic tests in identifying individuals at risk are also discussed.

Pathophysiology and Management of Alcoholic Liver Disease: Update 2016

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and acute and chronic liver failure and as such causes significant morbidity and mortality. While alcohol consumption is slightly decreasing in several European countries, it is rising in others and remains high in many countries around the world. The pathophysiology of ALD is still incompletely understood but relates largely to the direct toxic effects of alcohol and its main intermediate, acetaldehyde. Recently, novel putative mechanisms have been identified in systematic scans covering the entire human genome and raise new hypotheses on previously unknown pathways. The latter also identify host genetic risk factors for significant liver injury, which may help design prognostic risk scores. The diagnosis of ALD is relatively easy with a panel of well-evaluated tests and only rarely requires a liver biopsy. Treatment of ALD is difficult and grounded in abstinence as the pivotal therapeutic goal; once cirrhosis is established, treatment largely resembles that of other etiologies of advanced liver damage. Liver transplantation is a sound option for carefully selected patients with cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis because relapse rates are low and prognosis is comparable to other etiologies. Still, many countries are restrictive in allocating donor livers for ALD patients. Overall, few therapeutic options exist for severe ALD. However, there is good evidence of benefit for only corticosteroids in severe alcoholic hepatitis, while most other efforts are of limited efficacy. Considering the immense burden of ALD worldwide, efforts of medical professionals and industry partners to develop targeted therapies in ALF has been disappointingly low.