Cholesterol supersaturation of bile is one prerequisite for gallstone formation. In the present study of Chinese patients with gallstones, we investigated whether this phenomenon was correlated with the hepatic expression of genes participating in the metabolism of cholesterol and bile acids. Twenty-two nonobese, normolipidemic patients (female-male, 11:11) with gallstones were investigated with 13 age-and body mass index-matched gallstone-free controls (female-male, 10:3). The bile from the gallstone patients had higher cholesterol saturation than that from the controls. The mRNA levels of ABCG5, ABCG8, and liver X receptor a (LXRa) in the gallstone patients were increased by 51, 59, and 102%, respectively, and significantly correlated with the molar percentage of biliary cholesterol and cholesterol saturation index (CSI). The mRNA and protein levels of the hepatic scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) were increased, and a significant correlation was found between the protein levels and the CSI. No differences were recorded between the two groups concerning the hepatic synthesis of cholesterol, bile acids, and esterification of cholesterol. Our results suggest that the upregulation of ABCG5/ABCG8 in gallstone patients, possibly mediated by increased LXRa, may contribute to the cholesterol supersaturation of bile. Our data are consistent with the possibility that increased amounts of biliary cholesterol may originate from plasma HDL cholesterol by enhanced transfer via

The apolipoprotein (apo) B gene Xba I polymorphism is associated with alterations in serum lipids. Disturbances in serum lipids may be a risk factor for cholesterol gallstone disease. However, the relation between the Xba I polymorphism and cholesterol gallstones is unknown. This study was aimed at characterizing the polymorphism of the apo B gene Xba I in patients with gallbladder stones and the association of Xba I polymorphism with serum lipids. Xba I genotypes were measured by PCR-RFLP, and serum lipids assayed in 190 patients with gallbladder stones and 441 control subjects. The frequency of the X+/- genotype (20.63 vs. 7.94%) and X+ allele (10.79 vs. 3.97%) was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. Patients with the X+/- genotype had a significantly higher concentration of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and apo B in serum than patients with the X-/- genotype. The X+ allele of the apo B gene is characterized by a higher cholesterol concentration and a higher LDL-cholesterol concentration in serum, and it may be a marker for increased risk of cholesterol gallstone disease.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between gallbladder stone disease (GSD) and single nucleotide polymorphisms of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A) gene promoter, apolipoprotein (APO) B gene exon 26, APOE gene exon 4 or microsatellite polymorphism of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene exon 18. METHODS:Genotypes of CYP7A, APOB, APOE and LDLR genes were determined in 105 patients with GSD diagnosed by B-mode ultrasonography and 274 control subjects. Serum lipids were analyzed with HITACHI 7060 automaic biochemical analyzer. RESULTS:Body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in patients with GSD (24.47±3.09) than in controls (23.50±2.16). Plasma total cholesterol was lower in patients with GSD (4.66±0.92 mmol/L) than in controls (4.91±0.96 mmol/L), P<0.01 after adjusted for age, sex and BMI. The significantly higher frequency of A allele of CYP7A gene polymorphism and X+ allele of APOB gene polymorphism was seen in GSD patients. Percentages of A allele in patients and controls were 62.86% and 54.38% (P <0.05) and those of X+ allele 8.57% and 4.01% (P<0.01). Subjects with A allele had significantly lower plasma total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol than subjects with CC homozygote. In a multiple variable logistic regression model, the BMI (OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.05-1.22), A allele (OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.05-2.09) and X+ allele (OR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.14-4.59) were positively associated with GSD (P <0.05). Plasma total cholesterol (OR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.64-0.74) was negatively related to GSD (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:With an association analysis, it was determined that A allele of CYP7A gene and X+ allele of APOB gene might be considered as risk genes for GSD. These alleles are related with differences of serum lipids among subjects. Multiple-variable logistic regression model analysis showed that besides BMI, GSD was affected by polygenetic factors. But the mechanism for these two alleles responsible for GSD requires further investigations.

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ABSTRACT. We examined the association of the interleukin-28B (IL-28B) gene rs12979860 T/C polymorphism with development of hepatitis virus-related hepatocellular car cinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis (LC). Two investigators independently searched the PubMed, Elsevier, EMBASE, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure data bases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for rs12979860 and HCC/LC were cal culated in a fixed-effect model (the Mantel-Haenszel method) and a random-effect model (the DerSimonian and Laird method) when appropriate. This meta-analysis included 7 eligible studies, with 1152 HCC and/or LC cases and 1326 controls. Overall, the rs12979860 T/C polymorphism was significantly as sociated with risk of hepatitis virusrelated HCC and LC development (TT vs CC+CT, pooled OR = 1.597, 95%CI = 1.254-2.036). When they were grouped by type of hepatitis virus, similar results were found for hepatitis C virus-related groups (TT vs CC+CT, pooled OR = 1.732, 95%CI = 1.343-2.235, P value < 0.0001). In the overall analysis, the IL-28B rs12979860 T/C polymorphism was 3709 ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 12 (3): 3708-3717 (2013) 28B gene polymorphism and hepatocellular cancer identified as a genetic risk factor for hepatitis virus-related HCC and LC development. A significant increase in the frequency of the T/T genotype was detected from chronic hepatitis to HCC and LC.