Rs7903146 (C/T) polymorphism of Transcription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L-2) gene is independently associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Asian Indians

Abstract

Background and aimsTranscription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L-2) polymorphism has been associated with adipocyte metabolism and insulin resistance. Genetic investigations of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerosis are unknown. This study was designed to investigate the association of rs7903146 (C/T) polymorphism of TCF7L-2 gene with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Asian Indians. MethodsIn this case-control study 162 non-diabetic subjects with NAFLD and 173 body mass index (BMI)-matched controls without NAFLD were recruited. Abdominal ultrasound, clinical and biochemical investigations, fasting insulin levels and value of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was measured. Single nucleotide polymorphism rs7903146 (C/T) was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphisms. ResultsThe distribution of rs7903146 (C/T) alleles, the dominant model (CT + TT) and higher frequency (31%) of C/T genotype were significantly associated with NAFLD. C/T genotype of TCF7L2 gene was associated with significantly higher levels of BMI (p = 0.02), abdominal obesity (p < 0.05), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.05), hepatic transaminases (p < 0.05) and markers of insulin resistance (p < 0.05) in subjects with NAFLD. Using a multivariate analysis after adjusting for age and sex, TCF7L2 polymorphism was independently associated with presence of NAFLD [(OR: 3.234 (95% CI: 1.219-4.160, p = 0.002)]. ConclusionTCF7L2 (C/T) gene was Independently associated with NAFLD in Asian Indians.