Pnpla3 Gene Polymorphism and Red Meat Consumption Increased Fibrosis Risk in Nash Biopsy-Proven Patients Under Medical Follow-Up in a Tertiary Center in Southwest Brazil

Abstract

Background: Recent studies show an increase in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in populations with higher consumption of red meat, processed and cooked at high temperatures. On the other hand, the single nucleotide polymorphism rs738409 in the Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene has been implicated in susceptibility to NAFLD and liver fibrosis. However, the synergistic effect between red meat consumption and the PNPLA3 gene polymorphism in NAFLD has not yet been evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the association between the presence of the polymorphism in the PNPLA3 gene and the consumption of macronutrients, including meat consumption and its cooking method among NAFLD patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 91 patients diagnosed with NAFLD by liver biopsy with genotyping for the polymorphism in the PNPLA3 gene were included. The consumption of calories and macronutrients was verified using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the specific questionnaire on meat consumption. PNPLA3 gene polymorphism was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and anthropometric evaluation was realized. Results: The mean BMI was 32.38±4.58 kg/m² and the waist circumference was 107±10 cm. On liver biopsy, 42% of patients had significant fibrosis (F≥2). The odds ratio of F≥2 was 2.12 for the GG group and 1.54 for the CG group, compared to the CC group. The mean caloric intake was 1170±463.20 kcal/d. The odds ratio in the CC group concerning high red meat consumption in comparison to low consumption was 1.33. For white meat, the odds ratio was 0.8 when comparing high and low intake, also in the CC group. Conclusion: High red meat intake and PNPLA3 gene polymorphism seem to synergistically affect NAFLD and liver fibrosis, requiring confirmation in a larger number of patients and in different populations.