Association of ADIPOQ gene variants with adiponectin levels, insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in an Iranian population

Abstract

Abstract Background Adiponectin hormone is effective in reducing liver inflammation. In this study, the relationship between polymorphisms of the adiponectin gene with adiponectin level biochemical variables and NAFLD has been investigated. Methods and Results The case-control study was performed on 80 individuals with NAFLD and 80 healthy individuals. Determination of polymorphisms of rs266729, rs1501299 and rs17300539 from the ADIPOQ gene was performed by PCR- RFLP method. The level of adiponectin and insulin hormones was also measured by ELISA kit. Findings showed that serum triglyceride level, fasting blood sugar, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and diastolic blood pressure are higher in patients than in healthy individuals. Adiponectin levels and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients were lower than healthy individuals and body mass index (BMI) was higher in patients (P < 0.05). None of the SNPs were associated with insulin resistance. The results of the investigation of rs17300539 and rs266729 showed that there is no significant difference in the frequencies of alleles and genotypes between the case and control groups. rs1501299 review results showed that there is a significant difference between the frequency of G allele and genotype in healthy and patient groups(P < 0.05). In case (individuals with NAFLD) group of 17300539, BMI was higher in GA carriers than in GG genotype carriers(P < 0.05). There was a relationship between rs17300539 and rs266729 polymorphisms and AST (P < 0.05). Conclusion It seems that the G allele of rs17300539 in the adiponectin gene is effective in reducing the complications of NAFLD. The rs1501299 polymorphism is associated with NAFLD.