AUTHOR=Villani Rosanna , Magnati Grazia Pia , De Girolamo Giuseppe , Sangineto Moris , Romano Antonino Davide , Cassano Tommaso , Serviddio Gaetano 

TITLE=Genetic Polymorphisms and Clinical Features in Diabetic Patients With Fatty Liver: Results From a Single-Center Experience in Southern Italy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.737759

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2021.737759

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=Genetic background may be involved in the promotion and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previous studies have suggested that Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) may be associated with specific clinical features in patients with hepatic steatosis, however data on patients with diabetes from Southern Italy are lacking. We enrolled 454 patients and 260 of them had type 2 diabetes. We studied the PNPLA3 rs738409, LPIN 1 rs13412852, KLF6 rs3750861, SOD2 rs4880, TM6SF2 rs58542926 and ZNF624 rs12603226 SNPs and their distribution in study population. Lipid profile, liver stiffness and kidney function were also studied to understand the potential role of SNPs in the development of clinical phenotypes. No differences were observed in the distribution of polymorphisms between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Carriers of risk allele G for PNPLA3 rs738409 SNP showed a lower mean value of serum triglycerides and a higher liver stiffness. Risk allele for KLF6 rs3750861 and SOD2 rs4880 polymorphism had a lower eGFR value whereas no differences in glucose and glycated hemoglobin level were observed in subgroups by different genotypes. Genetic polymorphisms are useful to identify patients at higher risk of development of liver fibrosis and lower eGFR values in patients with diabetes and NAFLD. Their use in clinical practice may help clinicians to identify patients who require a more strict follow-up program.