Variants in the UGT1A1 gene and the risk of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
OBJECTIVE
Oxidative stress is increased in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Variants in the UGT1A1 gene contribute to increased bilirubin levels, and bilirubin can act as an antioxidant. We hypothesize that variant UGT1A1 genotypes reduce the risk for NAFLD development.


METHODS
Two hundred thirty-four obese children 6 to 13 years of age were recruited. NAFLD was determined through liver ultrasonography. The UGT1A1 genotypes UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 were detected. We assessed the effects of UGT1A1 genotypes on pediatric NAFLD.


RESULTS
In total, 12% of the obese children had NAFLD. The subjects with NAFLD had lower serum total bilirubin levels (0.25 +/- 0.30 mg/dL) than did those without NAFLD (0.36 +/- 0.38 mg/dL; P = .021). With conditioning on the effects of age- and gender-adjusted BMI, waist/hip ratio, and adiponectin levels, variant UGT1A1*6 genotypes were a protecting factor for NAFLD, with an estimated adjusted odds ratio of 0.31 (95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.91; P = .033), but variant UGT1A1*28 genotypes were not significantly associated with the occurrence of NAFLD.


CONCLUSIONS
Variant UGT1A1*6 genotypes are associated with a lower risk of NAFLD in obese Taiwanese children. The UGT1A1 genotype is a new risk factor for pediatric NAFLD.
Lin
Yu-Cheng
YC
Department of Pediatrics, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chang
Pi-Feng
PF
Hu
Fu-Chang
FC
Chang
Mei-Hwei
MH
Ni
Yen-Hsuan
YH
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000483:Alleles; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan; D014463:Ultrasonography; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D000099148:UGT1A1 Enzyme
D052242:Adiponectin; D001663:Bilirubin; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; D000099148:UGT1A1 Enzyme