TM6SF2 rs58542926 Polymorphism is not Associated With Risk of Steatosis or Fibrosis in Chilean Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Background The polymorphism rs58542926 C > T (E167K) in the gene of transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) has been identified as a determinant of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Only limited data have been published on this subject in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of TM6SF2 rs58542926 polymorphism on the risk of liver steatosis and fibrosis in Chilean patients with CHC infection. Methods A total of 153 biopsied CHC patients were genotyped for TM6SF2 rs58542926 using PCR-RFLP methodology. The risk of fatty liver was assessed by comparing absence (< 5 %) with presence (≥ 5 %) of steatosis. The association with fibrosis was evaluated according to METAVIR score, by comparing patients in stage F0, F1, or F2 with patients in stage F3 or F4. Results TM6SF2 rs58542926 genotype CC was found in 138 (90.2%) patients, whereas genotypes CT was found in 15 (9.8 %). No association was observed between rs58542926 genotype and risk of steatosis (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.17 - 2.22, P = 0.459) or fibrosis (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.29 - 3.87, P = 0.923). Conclusions TM6SF2 rs58542926 polymorphism is not associated with the risk of liver steatosis or fibrosis in Chilean patients with CHC.