CHDH-PNPLA3 Gene–Gene Interactions Predict Insulin Resistance in Children with Obesity

Adela Chirita-Emandi,1,2,* Costela Lacrimioara Serban,2,3,* Corina Paul,4,5,* Nicoleta Andreescu,1,2 Iulian Velea,4,5 Alexandra Mihailescu,1 Vlad Serafim,1,6 Diana-Andreea Tiugan,1 Paul Tutac,1 Cristian Zimbru,1,7 Maria Puiu,1,2 Mihai Dinu Niculescu1,8 1Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania; 2Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu”, Timisoara, Romania; 3Department of Functional Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania; 4Pediatrics Department – Pediatrics Discipline II, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania; 5Pediatrics, Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, Clinic II Pediatrics, “Pius Branzeu” Clinical Emergency County Hospital, Timisoara, Romania; 6The National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Bucharest, Romania; 7Department of Automation and Applied Informatics, Politehnica University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania; 8Advanced Nutrigenomics, Cary, NC 27511, USA*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Nicoleta AndreescuDepartment of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, RomaniaEmail andreescu.nicoleta@umft.roIntroduction: Insulin resistance plays a major role in metabolic syndrome and is recognized as the most common risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Identifying predictors for insulin resistance could optimize screening and prevention.Purpose: To evaluate the contribution of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms across genes related to NAFLD and choline metabolism, in predicting insulin resistance in children with obesity.Methods: O