PEROXISOME PROLIFERATORS-ACTIVATED RECEPTOR- GAMMA GENETIC POLYMORPHISM AND NONALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS, CAN IT PREDICT DISEASE PROGRESSION!

Background and study aims:- nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common liver diseases. It progresses to liver cirrhosis with the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Multiple hits theory in NAFLD progression indicates that genetic factors are important. Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) has an essential role in the regulation of adipocyte-specific genes and lipid and glucose metabolism. We aimed at evaluating the role of PPAR-gamma single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NAFLD and predicting its progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Material and methods:- Fifty obese patients with NAFLD preliminary diagnosed by liver ultra-sound were recruited. Full medical history, anthropometric measurements, biochemical studies, liver biopsy for the NAS score to identify NASH patients and the presence of fibrosis and assessment of SNPs of C681G, C689T and C34G of PPAR-gamma by Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragmented length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), were conducted for each patient. Thirty ages matched average weight healthy adult had been chosen as controls. Results:- The GG genotype of C681G was higher in cases (18%) than in control (10%) and also of C34G was higher in cases (12%) than in control (3.3%). The TT genotype of C689T was higher in cases (6%) than in control (0%). The GG genotype of C681G was higher in NASH group (19.4%) than in non NASH group (14.3%). Conclusion:- PPAR?gamma genetic polymorphism (C681G, C689T and C34G) was raised in patients with NAFLD and also of (C681G and C34G) was raised in cases with NASH but didn?t reach statistical significance..