Research Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2014; 20(13): 3655-3662
Published online Apr 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i13.3655
Lack of association between apolipoprotein C3 gene polymorphisms and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a Chinese Han population
Tong-Hong Niu, Man Jiang, Yong-Ning Xin, Xiang-Jun Jiang, Zhong-Hua Lin, Shi-Ying Xuan
Tong-Hong Niu, Man Jiang, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, Shandong Province, China
Tong-Hong Niu, Man Jiang, Yong-Ning Xin, Xiang-Jun Jiang, Zhong-Hua Lin, Shi-Ying Xuan, Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: Niu TH and Jiang M contributed equally to the work, both drafted and wrote the article; Xin YN, Jiang XJ and Lin ZH revised the paper; and Xuan SY approved the final version.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81170337/H0304
Correspondence to: Shi-Ying Xuan, PhD, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China. xsy_emuch@126.com
Telephone: +86-532-88905289 Fax: +86-532-88905293
Received: August 22, 2013
Revised: November 17, 2013
Accepted: January 2, 2014
Published online: April 7, 2014
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the association between two polymorphisms of apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Chinese Han population.

METHODS: Genotypes for rs2854116 and rs2854117 in APOC3 and the known rs738409 in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) in 390 patients with NAFLD and 409 control subjects were determined by sequencing and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Serum lipid profiles were determined using biochemical methods, and an index of insulin resistance (IR, HOMA-IR), serum APOC3 concentrations and total antioxidant status (TAS) were also assessed.

RESULTS: No significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of rs2854116 and rs2854117 were found between the NAFLD population and the controls (P > 0.05). The OR for the association between -455C and -482T allele carriers and the risk of NAFLD were 1.06 (95%CI: 0.72-1.57, P > 0.05) and 1.00 (95%CI: 0.68-1.48, P > 0.05), respectively. The variant carriers did not have a significantly increased risk of NAFLD or elevated clinical and biochemical parameters such as APOC3 concentrations, IR (1.42 ± 0.43 vs 1.48 ± 0.52, P > 0.05), liver enzymes and TAS (13.94 ± 2.01 vs 14.38 ± 1.92, P > 0.05) compared with the controls. Moreover, the results were similar when testing was carried out independent of the genetic variation in PNPLA3.

CONCLUSION: The two polymorphisms of the APOC3 gene are not associated with a risk of NAFLD, or with lipid profiles, IR and oxidative stress in the Chinese Han population.

Keywords: Polymorphism, Single nucleotide, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Apolipoprotein C3, Insulin resistance, Oxidative stress

Core tip: In this study, we determined the relationship between two polymorphisms in apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) and susceptibility to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Han population in China. We also examined the influence of APOC3 genotypes on insulin resistance, obesity, fasting TG levels and total antioxidant status. We found that the two polymorphisms of the APOC3 gene are not associated with a risk of NAFLD, or with lipid profiles, IR and oxidative stress in the Chinese Han population.