Abstracts Poster Abstracts - Dr Falk

53Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Specific G-protein $3subunit polymorphism (C825T) associates with higher degreesof steatosis and ALT levelsA. Kahraman 1 , L. Bechmann 1 , A. Katsounas 1 , H.Nückel 2 , A. Sellhoff 1 , W. Siffert 2 ,G. Gerken 1 A. Canbay 11 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Essen, Germany2 Department of Pharmacology, University of Essen, GermanyIntroduction: Obesity is the main risk factor for developing NAFLD. The spectrum ofNAFLD ranges from simple uncomplicated steatosis to steatohepatitis, which correlateswith high aminotransferase levels. Genetic factors might explain why only some patientsprogress to fibrosis. As recent studies revealed that a G-protein $3 subunit genepolymorphism (C825T) associates with obesity, we earlier postulated that alteredG-protein receptor coupling may provide a clue for explaining this bifurcation.Methods: Histopathology and aminotransferase levels were assessed in 50 patientswith NAFLD. In genomic DNA isolated from blood leukocytes, C825T polymorphismsidentified by PCR and restriction analysis were correlated with aminotransferase levels,age, BMI, and lipids.Results: In all subjects with NAFLD, genotype distribution was 24 CC, 19 TC, and 7 TT.In patients carrying the TC genotype, the degree of steatosis was 36.2% morepronounced than in CC carriers and 74.1% higher than in TT carriers. Importantly,elevated ALT values indicating liver damage significantly correlated with the TCgenotype (100%), but not genotypes CC (68%) or TT (56%). We found no correlationwith age, BMI, or lipids.Discussion/Conclusion: Our preliminary data indicate that a heterozygous GNB3 825Tcarrier status associates with elevated steatosis and ALT. We suggest that genotypingthe GNB3 locus may provide a future tool for identifying individuals at risk for obesityand the progressive form of NAFLD, thus enabling preventive changes in lifestyle.