Polymorphism in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein: A link between liver disease and atherogenic postprandial lipid profile in NASH?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as an independent cardiovascular risk factor, but mechanism(s) linking fatty liver to atherosclerosis are unknown. Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) -493 G/T polymorphism modulates circulating lipid and lipoprotein levels in different subsets and has been linked to NAYLD. The impact of MTP -493 G/T polymorphism, adipokines, and diet on postprandial lipoprotein profile and liver disease was assessed in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Plasma lipids, triglyceride-rich lipoprotein subfractions, high-density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) after an oral fat load were cross-sectionally correlated to MTP -493 G/T polymorphism, dietary habits, adipokines, and liver histology in 29 nonobese nondiabetic patients with NASH and 27 healthy controls. The severity of liver histology, the magnitude of triglycerides (Tg), free fatty acid (FFA), and LDL-conjugated diene responses, and the fall in HDL-C and apoA1 were significantly higher in NASH G/G (66% of patients) than in the other genotypes, despite similar adipokine profile and degree of insulin resistance. Postprandial. large intestinal very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) subfraction A increases independently predicted Tg (beta = 0.48; P =.008), FFA (beta = 0.47; P = 0.010), HDL-C (beta = 0.42; P = 0.009), and LDL-conjugated diene (beta = 0.52; P = 0.002) responses. VLDL A apoB48 response was independently associated with liver steatosis (OR: 2.4; CI 1.7-9.6; P = 0.031). Postprandial. LDL-conjugated diene response predicted severe necro-inflammation (OR: 3.3; CI 1.4-9.7; P = 0.016) and fibrosis (OR: 2.8; CI 1.0-8,5; P = 0.030); postprandial apoA1 fall predicts severe fibrosis (OR: 2.1; CI: 1.5-6.1; P = 0.015). Conclusion: MTP -493 G/T polymorphism may impact NASH by modulating postprandial lipernia and lipoprotein metabolism; homozygous GG carriers have a more atherogenic postprandial. lipid profile than the other genotypes, independently of adipokines and insulin resistance.