Role of Renin-Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Level and ACE Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Demet D Tekatas; Ibrahim H Bahcecioglu; Murat Ispiroglu; Abdurrahman Sahin; Necip Ilhan; Mehmet Yalniz; Ulvi Demirel

doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10018-1186

Role of Renin-Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Level and ACE Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol. 2016 Jul-Dec;6(2):137-142. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10018-1186. Epub 2016 Dec 1.

Authors

Demet D Tekatas¹, Ibrahim H Bahcecioglu¹, Murat Ispiroglu¹, Abdurrahman Sahin¹, Necip Ilhan², Mehmet Yalniz¹, Ulvi Demirel¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gastroenterology, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.
² Department of Biochemistry, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the histological and clinical effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE gene polymorphism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their roles in the progression of the disease.

Materials and methods: Liver function tests, body mass index, waist circumference, lipid parameters, fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR), ACE, and ACE gene polymorphism were evaluated in the NAFLD group and control group. The study group was evaluated by dividing the group into four subgroups by ACE gene polymorphism (D/D homozygous, I/I homozygous, D/I heterozygous, I/D heterozygous). Liver biopsies were evaluated according to Brunt Classification.

Results: A total of 31 patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD and 40 healthy individuals were included in the study. The ACE level was found to be 11.69 ± 1.99 in the NAFLD group and 11.52 ± 1.72 in the control group (p = 0.70). There was a negative correlation between ACE levels and HOMA-IR levels (p = 0.008, r= -0.512). Biochemical parameters were not different among ACE gene polimorphism subgroups, except FBG (between D/D, I/D and D/I, I/D; p = 0.02). When the ACE levels were compared in terms of grade and stage, no significant difference was found (for stage and grade p = 0.68). The ACE gene polymorphism subgroups did not differ by histopathologic findings; grade and stage (for grade p = 0.42, for stage p = 0.92).

Conclusion: In this study, we could not find a correlation of ACE and ACE gene polymorphism with metabolic risk factors and the disease severity in NAFLD.

How to cite this article: Tekatas DD, Bahcecioglu IH, Ispiroglu M, Sahin A, Ilhan N, Yalniz M, Demirel U. Role of Renin-Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Level and ACE Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(2):137-142.

Keywords: Angiotensin-converting enzyme; Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease..