LEPTIN RECEPTOR GENE POLYMORPHISMS AND THE RISK OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE CHINESE HAN POPULATION

摘要

Background: Leptin receptor (LEPR) polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with lipid metabolism and insulin resistance in various populations. However, whether LEPR polymorphisms are associated with the risks of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary atherosclerosis in the Chinese Han population remains unknown.Objectives: To investigate the association of LEPR polymorphisms at Q223R and K109R with the risks of NAFLD and coronary atherosclerosis in the Chinese Han population.Patients and Methods: Genotypes of LEPRQ223R and K109R were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing in patients with NAFLD (n=554), coronary atherosclerosis (n=421), and healthy controls (n=550). Serum lipid profiles were determined using biochemical methods. Pearson’s c ² test was used to check for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and to analyze the distributions of genotypes’ alleles between groups. Baseline characteristics were analyzed using student’s t-test, paired-samples t-test, or the c ² test where appropriate.Results: The LEPRQ223R A allele significantly reduced the risks of both NAFLD and coronary atherosclerosis (OR=0.683, 95% CI: 0.527 - 0.884, P=0.004 andOR=0.724, 95% CI: 0.548 - 0.955, P=0.022, respectively). Compared to controls, no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of K109R were found in the NAFLD and coronary atherosclerosis populations, respectively. However, there was a significantly increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis in NAFLD patients who carried the K109R A allele (OR=2.283, 95% CI: 1.556 - 3.348, PConclusions: LEPR Q223R polymorphisms may confer a significant risk of NAFLD and coronary atherosclerosis. The A allele in the K109R polymorphism might be considered an independent risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis in NAFLD patients.