Gene Variant Boosts Risk Of Fatty Liver Disease
Recently, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center devised a study on the relationship between the gene PNPLA3 expression and liver disease. PNPLA3 codes for a membrane-bound protein that mediates triacylglycerol hydrolysis in adipocytes, which are tissues that store energy as fat. In the study, each participant had multiple tests performed on them, such as tomography to examine their heart and organs and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Tomography is a series of sectional images taken of the body by moving an X-ray source and film in opposite directions during an exposure. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy is the latest, most accurate imaging system that can be used to view the fatty tissue of the liver. Researches then related this data to the DNA of the individuals and found that the presence of the PNPLA3 gene affects the amount of hepatic fat in the body.
A common result of too much hepatic fat is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It is the most common form of liver disease in the United States, contributing to 10 percent of liver transplants. NAFLD is also linked with obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol, which can relate to heart disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can also result in cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of the liver and liver cancer. NAFLD is treated by minimizing alcohol intake, weight loss, exercise, and better control of diabetes.
The UT Southwestern Researches found a correlation between different ethnicities and individuals who have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. They determined NAFLD is most prevalent in Hispanics more so than any other ethnicity. These results are even after taking into consideration diabetes, obesity and other factors. The reasons for these results are unknown.
I found this article to be interesting because doctors can determine the people who are at risk of developing this disease by testing them for PNPLA3 gene expression. From there, they can warn their patients of the possibilities that they may develop NAFLD and influence them to begin healthy habits at an early age. This discovery is proof that human health care is continuously advancing with time.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925154242.htm
A common result of too much hepatic fat is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It is the most common form of liver disease in the United States, contributing to 10 percent of liver transplants. NAFLD is also linked with obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol, which can relate to heart disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can also result in cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of the liver and liver cancer. NAFLD is treated by minimizing alcohol intake, weight loss, exercise, and better control of diabetes.
The UT Southwestern Researches found a correlation between different ethnicities and individuals who have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. They determined NAFLD is most prevalent in Hispanics more so than any other ethnicity. These results are even after taking into consideration diabetes, obesity and other factors. The reasons for these results are unknown.
I found this article to be interesting because doctors can determine the people who are at risk of developing this disease by testing them for PNPLA3 gene expression. From there, they can warn their patients of the possibilities that they may develop NAFLD and influence them to begin healthy habits at an early age. This discovery is proof that human health care is continuously advancing with time.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080925154242.htm
posted by BrittanyReinemund at 12:01 PM
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