The role of genetic and epigenetic factors in non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis

Background and aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in developed countries, as well as the most common indication for hepatic liver failure in these countries. In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical prognostic significance of the patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) I148M polymorphism as the genetic dimension in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the miRNA-122 level as the epigenetic dimension, and to use the miRNA-122 level in NAFLD patients as a biological marker. Material and metod: This study included 40 patients with NAFLD diagnosis who underwent various tests and 20 control groups. At the beginning of the study, the patient's was obtained written informed consent. Age and gender, bady mass index (BMI), insulin resistance (IR), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanin aminotransferase (ALT) levels were recorded in the patient and control group. Results: MiRNA-122 level, PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism and various parameters were compared. No statistically significant results were found between miRNA-122 levels when the patient and control group were compared as a result of our study (p = .090). No significant results were found between patient and control group for PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism (p = .087). Conclusion: In the light of this obtained data, progress in NAFLD management will benefit us from further scientific studies in terms of providing new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.