Expression of energy metabolism related genes in the gastric tissue of obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
BACKGROUND
Stomach is an integral part of the energy balance regulating circuit. Studies exploring the effects of cross-system changes in the energy homeostasis in stomach tissue are scarce. The proximity of the stomach to liver--the most common secondary target affected by obesity--suggests that these two organs are exposed to each other's local secretion. Therefore, we aimed at expression profiling of energy metabolism associated genes in the gastric tissue of obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.


METHODS
A total of 24 patients with histologically-proven NAFLD were included. In the gastric tissue, gene expression profiling of 84 energy metabolism associated genes was carried out.


RESULTS
The accumulation of the fat in the liver parenchyma is accompanied by downregulation of genes encoding for carboxypeptidase E (CPE) and Interleukin 1B (IL1B) in the gastric mucosa of same patient. In patients with high grade hepatic steatosis, Interleukin 1 beta encoding gene with anorexigenic function, IL1B was downregulated. The levels expression of 21 genes, including ADRA2B, CNR1 and LEP were significantly altered in the gastric tissue of NAFLD patients with hepatic inflammation. There were also indications of an increase in the opioid signaling within gastric mucosa that may results in a shift to proinflammatory environment within this organ and contribute to systemic inflammation and the pathogenic processes in hepatic parenchyma.


CONCLUSIONS
We have shown differential expression of energy metabolism associated genes in the gastric tissue of obese NAFLD patients. Importantly, these gene expression profiles are associated with changes in the hepatic parenchyma as reflected in increased scores for hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis and NASH. This study suggests the complex interplay of multiple organs in the pathogenesis of obesity-related complications such as NAFLD and provides further evidence supporting an important role for gastric tissue in promoting obesity-related complications.
Rohini
R
Mehta
Aybike
A
Birerdinc
Lei
L
Wang
Zahra
Z
Younoszai
Amir
A
Moazzez
Hazem
H
Elariny
Zachary
Z
Goodman
Vikas
V
Chandhoke
Betty and Guy Beatty Obesity and Liver Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, USA. abaranov@gmu.edu.
Ancha
A
Baranova
Zobair M
ZM
Younossi
D000328:Adult; D043423:Carboxypeptidase H / Q000235:genetics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000235:genetics; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000235:genetics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015854:Up-Regulation
C547771:ADRA2B protein, human; C571130:CNR1 protein, human; C508585:IL1B protein, human; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D020738:Leptin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D043423:Carboxypeptidase H