Genetic Polymorphisms of ABCB11 and ABCB4 in Women With Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) and in Their First Degree Relatives

ICP is commolnly manifested in the 2nd and especially in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Pathogenesis of ICP is multifactorial implicating genetic, environmental and hormonologic factors. Prevalence of ICP varies. In certain populations in latin America occurrence of ICP is up to 15% of pregnancies. In Caucasian populations incidence of ICP is approximately 1% of pregnancies. Data for the Greek population are scarce. Genes ABCB4 and ABCB11 that are encoding transport proteins in the hepatocyte are implicated in the pathogenesis of ICP.

Aim of the Study: To study the genetic polymorphisms in pregnant women with ICP and in their first degree relatives Patients and Methods: To recruit 100 women with ICP. Analyze the occurrence of 11 SNP's in ABCB11 and ABCB4 genes in women with ICP. As control group will be used pregnant women without ICP or known hepatic disease. In these women the same analysis for SNP's as in women with ICP will be performed. Exclusion criteria: women with known hepatic disease ( HBV, HCV, HIV, HEV, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Drug induced liver injury, cirrhosis) and women with pregnancy related liver disease (pre-eclampsia, acute fatty liver of pregnancy or HELLP syndrome) Inclusion criteria: pregnant women with ICP. Detailed report of medical history, laboratory and clinical data regarding women and the pregnancy. Follow up of laboratory values before and after the begging of treatment with UDCA.