Association between PPARGC1A single nucleotide polymorphisms and increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background/aim: Environmental and genetic factors may play a major role in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) among people with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Based on the fact that PGC-1α, as the protein encoded by thePPARGC1A gene, plays a key role in energy metabolism pathways, it has been hypothesized that polymorphisms within the PPARGC1Agene may be associated with increased risks of NAFLD. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the Gly482Ser polymorphism(rs8192678) within the PPARGC1A gene and its association with the increased risk of NAFLD in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and methods: A total of 145 NAFLD patients with a history of type 2 diabetes and 145 healthy control subjects were includedin the study. Gly482Ser polymorphism genotyping was done using the amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chainreaction (ARMS-PCR) technique.Results: The results showed a significant difference between the PPARGC1A Gly482Ser polymorphism in NAFLD patients and thehealthy controls. Accordingly, the AA genotype and A allele were increased in the NAFLD patients when compared to the healthycontrols. However, no significant correlation was observed between the Gly482Ser polymorphism and the physiological and biochemicalparameters.Conclusion: Based on the results, the AA genotype, which is associated with the insertion of Ser, can be considered as a risk factor forthe development of NAFLD in Iranian patients with diabetes type 2.