The effect of overweight/obesity and FTO gene polymorphism on liver function-related parameters in Chinese adolescents

Background Overweight/obesity is an important risk factor for liver disease, affecting changes in liver function-related parameters. The fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene has been reported to have a link between overweight/obesity and liver fat metabolism. We studied the association of FTO rs9939609 variants with liver function-related parameters and overweight/obesity in Chinese adolescents aged 16 to 26 as freshmen. Methods We examined rs9939609 polymorphisms in 198 control and 173 overweight/obese people, and the genotypes of the samples were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. We investigated the effects of FTO gene polymorphism on overweight/obesity and liver function-related parameters. Results The values of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in overweight/obesity group were significantly higher than those in control group. The rs9939609 AA genotype increased the risk of overweight/obesity by 3.45 times independent of body mass index (BMI) compared with TT genotype, the rs9939609 (AA) genotype was significantly associated with AST and ALT. Conclusion FTO rs9939609 variants were associated with overweight/obesity and overweight/obesity has a significant influence on the increased liver function-related parameters. The rs9939609 (AA) positively correlated with AST and ALT levels. Overweight/obese patients should pay more attention to liver function-related parameters.