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.