Role of neuropeptide Y gene variant (rs161477) in liver histology in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Background and rationaleThis study was intended to assess the influence of the rs16147 variant of the NPY gene on liver histology in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Material and methodsEighty-nine patients with NAFLD were recruited into the study. Serum chemistry tests were done including lipid profile, transaminases, adipokines, and insulin resistance. Genotype of polymorphism (rs161477) of the NPY gene was studied. ResultsTwenty-three patients (25.0%) had the GG genotype (wild type) and sixty-six patients (75%) the GA (n=39) or AA (n=27) (mutant) types. Patients with A allele had a lower percentage of lobular inflammation and steatohepatitis (lobular inflammation plus ballooning) than those with wild genotype. Patients with A allele showed lower SAF (Steatosis, Activity, Fibrosis) scores than non-A allele carriers (5.4±2.7 points vs. 4.1±1.1 points; p=0.01). In the analysis without fibrosis (NAS score), the same differences were detected (4.5±1.8 points vs. 3.4±1.8 points; p=0.01). In the logistic regression analysis A allele carriers showed lower odds for inflammation (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02–0.84, p=0.03) and steatohepatitis (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.14–0.86, p=0.04) after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. ConclusionsA variant of polymorphism rs16147 of the NPY gene is independently associated to a lower percentage of steatohepatitis and lobular inflammation in obese subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD.