Objectives: It has been shown that the HCV-core protein reduces the activity of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and could lead to steatosis in HCV-infected patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of a functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the MTP gene (493G/T) on the development of HCV-related steatosis.
Methods: Eighty-six chronic hepatitis C patients were studied to assess: the effects of body mass index, age, HCV genotype, and 493G/T MTP polymorphism on steatosis.
Results: Steatosis was observed in 39 patients (45.3%). The 493G/T MTP polymorphism were not related to the development of steatosis.
Conclusion: The functional G/T MTP polymorphism do not seem to play any role in the development of steatosis in chronic hepatitis C.