Lack of association between peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and gamma2 polymorphisms and progressive liver damage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case control study

• Main Authors: Dongiovanni Paola, Rametta Raffaela, Fracanzani Anna, Benedan Luca, Borroni Vittorio, Maggioni Paolo, Maggioni Marco, Fargion Silvia, Valenti Luca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2010-09-01
• Series: BMC Gastroenterology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/10/102

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play key roles in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>to assess the effect of functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of <it>PPARα </it>and <it>PPARγ2</it>, previously associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, on liver damage in NAFLD, whose progression is influenced by metabolic abnormalities and inherited factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Leu162Val <it>PPARα </it>and Pro12Ala <it>PPARγ2 </it>SNPs were evaluated by restriction analysis. We considered 202 Italian patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The frequency of the evaluated SNPs did not differ between patients and 346 healthy controls. The presence of the <it>PPARα </it>162Val allele (prevalence 57%), but not of the <it>PPARγ2 </it>12Ala allele (prevalence 18%), was associated with higher insulin resistance (HOMA-IR index 4.71 ± 3.8 vs. 3.58 ± 2.7, p = 0.026), but not with hyperglycemia. The <it>PPARα </it>162Val and <it>PPARγ2 </it>12Ala alleles were not associated with the severity of steatosis, necroinflammation, or fibrosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The presence of the <it>PPARα </it>162Val allele was associated with insulin resistance, but not with liver damage in NAFLD. Because of the limited power of the present sample, larger studies are needed to exclude a minor effect of the <it>PPARγ2 </it>12Ala allele on necroinflammation/fibrosis in NAFLD.</p>