rs1043996 Polymorphism Is Associated with the Occurrence of Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis Independently of and Polymorphisms.

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) in Croatia and presents a risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, genetic susceptibility has not yet been systematically studied. We aimed to investigate the contribution of the risk polymorphisms rs738409, rs4444903, rs58542926, rs1801133, previously identified in other populations and, additionally, the contribution of Notch-related polymorphisms ( rs3124591, rs1043996 and rs1044116, rs422951). The study included 401 patients. The ALC group consisted of 260 LT candidates, 128 of whom had histopathologically confirmed HCC, and 132 of whom were without HCC. The control group included 141 patients without liver disease. Genotyping was performed by PCR using Taqman assays. The patients' susceptibility to ALC was significantly associated with rs738409, rs58542926, and rs1043996 polymorphisms. These polymorphisms remained significantly associated with ALC occurrence in a logistic regression model, even after additional model adjustment for sex and age. Cirrhotic patients with the GG genotype demonstrated higher activity of ALT aminotransferases than patients with CC or CG genotypes. The susceptibility to the development of HCC in ALC was significantly associated with rs738409 and rs4444903 polymorphisms, and logistic regression confirmed these polymorphisms as independent predictors.