Search

Transcription 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. In 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. The 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)]. TCF7L2 (C/T) gene was Independently associated with NAFLD in Asian Indians. • In this study, 162 NAFLD and 173 without NAFLD were single nucleotide polymorphism rs7903146 (C/T) was genotyped. • Mean Values of BMI, abdominal obesity, lipids and hepatic levels were significantly increased in NAFLD subjects. • Higher frequencies of C/T and T/T genotypes of TCF7L2 gene were obtained in NAFLD subjects as compared to controls. • In multivariate analysis, TCF7L2 polymorphism was independently associated with presence of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectiveAlthough the prevalence of obesity is not high in Asian Indians, increased prevalence rates of metabolic perturbations and cardiovascular risk factors have been reported. In this study, we evaluated body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measurements, and body fat profiles of obese and non-obese subjects and correlated those values with cardiovascular risk factors.: MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 639 subjects (170 men and 469 women) from low socioeconomic stratum residing in urban slums of New Delhi. Non-obese subjects were categorized into quartiles of percentage of body fat (%BF) and waist circumference (WC). Using logistic regression analysis, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes mellitus [DM], hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were computed with first quartile in the non-obese group as the reference category for the following five categories: %BF and WC quartiles in the non-obese group and obese group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2).: ResultsIn the non-obese group, approximately 66% of men and 88% of women had at least one risk factor. In non-obese women, significantly high ORs and 95% CIs were found for hypertension (3.2, 1.4–7.2), DM (2.8, 1.2–6.3), and hypertriglyceridemia (3.9, 1.9–8.3) in the upper quartiles of %BF, and significantly high OR (95% CIs) was observed for hypertriglyceridemia (3.9, 1.4–10.8) in non-obese men. Among non-obese men, significantly high OR (95% CIs) was found for hypertriglyceridemia (3.2, 1.0–10.3); among non-obese women, significantly high ORs (95% CIs) were observed for hypertension (2.5, 1.1–5.8) and hypertriglyceridemia (2.5, 1.2–5.2) in the normal range of WC (70–80 cm).: ConclusionThe study showed that Asian Indians have excess cardiovascular risk at BMI and WC values considered “normal.” These data suggested that definitions of “normal” ranges of BMI and WC need to be revised for Asian Indians. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Genetics of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) in Asian Indians has been inadequately studied. We investigated the association of polymorphisms C161T and Pro12Ala of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) with clinical and biochemical parameters in Asian Indians with NAFLD. Methods: In this case–control study, 162 NAFLD cases and 173 controls were recruited. Abdominal ultrasound, clinical and biochemical profiles, fasting insulin levels and value of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were determined. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphisms of two polymorphisms were performed. The association of these polymorphisms with clinical and biochemical parameters was analysed. Results: Higher frequency of Ala and T alleles of PPARγ was obtained in cases. Ala/Ala genotype of PPARγ (Pro12Ala) was associated with significantly higher serum triglycerides (TG), alkaline phosphatase (ALK) and waist–hip ratio in cases as compared to controls. In C161T polymorphism, TT genotype was significantly increased TG (p =0.04), total cholesterol (p =0.01), ALK (p =0.04) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (p =0.007) in cases. The linkage disequilibrium for these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of PPARγ was differed in cases (D1=0.1; p =0.006) and controls (D1=0.07; p =0.1). Using a multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, sex and body mass index, the presence of NAFLD was linked to these two polymorphisms (odds ratio 1.64 (95% CI: 1.09–2.45, p =0.05)]. Conclusion: Asian Indians in north India carrying the alleles Ala and T of PPARγ (Pro12Ala and C161T) polymorphisms are predisposed to develop NAFLD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: The metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are common in Asian Indians. Simple yet reliable phenotypic markers are needed for early detection of the MS in Asian Indians. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 126 subjects either with of without the MS were compared. Anthropometric measurements (including assessment of novel phenotypic markers) and metabolic profile were done. Results: On univariate analysis, age more than 35 year, female gender, presence of buffalo hump and double chin and family history of T2DM were significantly associated with the MS. A metabolic syndrome screening (MSS) score (1.0×double chin+1.2×buffalo hump+1.3×gender+1.4×age category) was generated with a cutoff value of 3.5 out of total points of 4.9, with sensitivity and specificity 82% and 71% [area under the curve=0.83; 95% confidence Interval (0.76–0.90)], respectively in detecting individuals with the MS. Conclusion: We describe buffalo hump and double chin as novel phenotypic markers for detection of MS for the first time. The MSS score generated by us may be a useful tool for detection of MS in adult Asian Indians; however, it needs further validation in a larger sample of Asian Indians and in other ethnic groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]