ISLAMABAD – Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified 31 previously unknown genetic regions linked to liver fat levels. The findings could help scientists better understand fatty liver disease and the factors that influence liver cancer risk.
The study analysed genetic data and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 71,488 people of European descent enrolled in the UK Biobank. Published in Nature Genetics, the research is the largest study to combine genome-wide analysis with MRI-based measurements of liver fat.
Fatty liver disease develops when triglycerides, a type of fat, build up in the liver. Genetics can influence this process, but scientists have yet to identify all the genes and biological mechanisms involved.
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Study identifies 60 genetic regions
The research team identified 60 genetic regions associated with liver fat levels. Of these, 31 had not previously been linked to the trait.
The findings suggest that common genetic differences account for around 25 per cent of the variation in liver fat levels between individuals.
“By almost doubling the number of known genetic regions linked to liver fat, we get a clearer picture of the biological processes behind fatty liver disease,” said Stefano Romeo, a professor at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Medicine in Huddinge.
Researchers also used several methods to identify the genes that these genetic variations might affect. They identified likely disease-related genes in 48 of the 60 regions.
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Genetic risk score linked to liver disease
The team also developed a genetic risk score based on multiple genetic variants. People with the highest scores were more likely to develop fatty liver disease and liver cancer than those with the lowest scores.
This finding suggests that inherited factors associated with liver fat accumulation may also influence the risk of developing liver disease later in life.
However, the results do not establish that these genetic variations directly cause liver cancer. Further research will be needed to clarify the biological mechanisms behind the associations.
Further research needed
The study included only people of European descent. The researchers said future studies should examine more diverse populations to determine whether the findings apply to other groups.
Scientists must also confirm some of the newly identified genetic regions.
The findings expand current knowledge of the genetic factors associated with liver fat. They could also help researchers investigate why some people face a greater risk of fatty liver disease and related complications than others.
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Key points:
- Researchers identified 31 previously unknown genetic regions associated with liver fat levels.
- The study analysed genetic data and MRI scans from 71,488 people of European descent.
- Scientists found 60 genetic regions linked to liver fat, nearly doubling the number of previously known regions.
- Common genetic differences accounted for about 25 per cent of the variation in liver fat levels.
- People with higher genetic risk scores were more likely to develop fatty liver disease and liver cancer.
- Researchers said further studies must confirm some findings and assess whether they apply to other populations.
