PNPLA3 genetic variants determine hepatic steatosis in non-obese chronic hepatitis C patients

The influence of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) genetic variants in the development of liver steatosis in Asian chronic hepatitis C patients remains elusive. A total of 1018 biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C patients were enrolled for evaluation. The proportions of PNPLA3 rs738409 GG genotype carriage were 7.8% (44/563), 15.8% (58/367) and 19.3% (17/88) in patients with no (liver fat content 66%) hepatic steatosis, respectively (trend P PNPLA3 rs738409 GG genotype (odds ratio [OR]/95% confidence intervals [CI]:2.34/1.557–3.515, P 2, carriage of the rs738409 GG genotype was the only factor associated with hepatic steatosis (OR/CI:3.44/1.824–6.500, P PNPLA3 genetic variants had minimal effects on hepatic steatosis among overweight or obese patients. Compared to patients with BMI2/non-GG genotype, those with BMI>24 kg/m2/GG genotype were more likely to have hepatic steatosis (OR/CI:3.87/2.292–6.524, P PNPLA3 genetic variants and BMI played important roles in hepatic steatosis among Asian chronic hepatitis C patients. However, the genetic effect was mainly restricted to non-obese patients.