Case Control Study
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World J Hepatol. Jun 27, 2014; 6(6): 435-442
Published online Jun 27, 2014. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v6.i6.435
Pooled genetic analysis in ultrasound measured non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Indian subjects: A pilot study
Vishnubhotla Venkata Ravi Kanth, Mitnala Sasikala, Padaki Nagaraja Rao, Urmila Steffie Avanthi, Kalashikam Rajender Rao, Duvvuru Nageshwar Reddy
Vishnubhotla Venkata Ravi Kanth, Mitnala Sasikala, Urmila Steffie Avanthi, Asian Healthcare Foundation, Hyderabad 500082, India
Padaki Nagaraja Rao, Duvvuru Nageshwar Reddy, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad 500082, India
Kalashikam Rajender Rao, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500082, India
Author contributions: Ravi Kanth VV, Sasikala M and Rao PN designed the research; Rao PN and Nageshwar Reddy D recruited patients; Ravi Kanth VV and Steffie Avanthi U performed the research; Rao RK contributed reagents/analytic tools; Ravi Kanth VV analyzed the data; Ravi Kanth VV and Sasikala M wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Padaki Nagaraja Rao, Chief of Hepatology and Nutrition, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, 6-3-661, Somajiguda, Hyderabad 500082, India. npadaki@yahoo.com
Telephone: +91-40-23378888 Fax: +91-40-23324255
Received: January 9, 2014
Revised: March 1, 2014
Accepted: May 16, 2014
Published online: June 27, 2014
Processing time: 175 Days and 22 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes a range of conditions caused by build-up of fat within liver cells in the absence of alcohol consumption. Although obesity, diabetes, age, hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia contribute to the disease, genetics also has an important role to play. Furthermore, in 26%-35% of patients, genetic component is believed to contribute to NAFLD. By identifying significant single nucleotide polymorphisms from genome wide association studies reported from different ethnic populations for NAFLD and performing a pooled genetic association study, this study has identified important genetic risks that could help in identifying individuals with susceptibility at an early stage, thus aiding in better management of the disease.