Association of ERα gene polymorphism at position 29 with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between estrogen receptor alpha( ERα) gene polymorphism at position 29 and hepatitis B virus( HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure( HBV-ACLF) and the genetic pathogenesis of HBV-ACLF. Methods A total of 61HBV-ACLF patients,79 patients with chronic hepatitis B( CHB),and 69 patients who automatically recovered from HBV infection were included in the study. The ERα gene polymorphism at position 29 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The allele frequency was calculated by gene counting,and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test was performed. Confounding factors were adjusted by unconditional logistic regression analysis. Comparisons of genotype frequency and allele frequency were made by chi-square test( R × C). Results The frequencies of TT genotype and T allele of ERα gene at position 29 were significantly higher in HBV-ACLF patients than in CHB patients(55.7% vs 31.6%,χ2=8. 194,P =0. 004; 77. 1% vs 54. 4%,χ2=15. 341,P 0. 001),and the risk of worsening in HBV infection patients with T allele was 2. 811 times that in HBV infection patient with C allele( OR =2. 811,95% CI: 1. 662-4. 753). The frequencies of TT genotype and T allele of ERα gene at position 29 were significantly higher in HBV-ACLF patients than in patients who recovered from HBV infection( 55. 7% vs11. 6%,χ2=28. 849,P 0. 001; 77. 1% vs 32. 6%,χ2=51. 401,P 0. 001),and the risk of worsening in HBV infection patients with T allele was 6. 938 times that in patients with C allele( OR =6. 938,95% CI: 3. 995-12. 050). Conclusion TT genotype and T allele of ERα gene at position 29 might be the susceptibility gene for HBV-ACLF.