MTTP polymorphisms and hepatic steatosis in individuals chronically infected with hepatitis C virus.

Polymorphisms in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) gene were genotyped in individuals who were chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In the 236 patients, the frequencies of risk alleles of the -164T/C (rs1800804), -400A/T (rs1800803) and H297Q (rs2306985) polymorphisms were 0.30, 0.41 and 0.50, respectively. A significant association between the risk alleles of the -164T/C and -400A/T polymorphisms combined with HCV genotype 3 infection and the occurrence of steatosis was detected (p = 0.004 and p = 0.032), suggesting that a combination of host and viral factors can potentially be used to predict hepatic steatosis.