Association between apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Southern China: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the conclusions of studies are inconsistent in different regions. The present study aims to investigate the role of ApoE genotypes on NAFLD in southern China. METHODS A total of 1064 subjects including 372 NAFLD patients and 692 controls who attended Meizhou People's Hospital located in southern China from March 1, 2016 to April 30, 2020 were enrolled in this study. The ApoE genotypes were detected and the laboratory parameters were examined. RESULTS Significant differences were observed between NAFLD patients and controls in the prevalence of e3/e3 (p < 0.001) and e3/e4 (p = 0.004). NAFLD patients presented higher frequency of e4 allele than controls (p = 0.013). Logistic regression analysis suggested that e3/e3 was an independent risk factor (OR: 1.435, 95% CI: 1.084-1.891, p = 0.010), while e3/e4 was an independent protective factor (OR: 0.578, 95% CI: 0.404-0.828, p = 0.003) for development of NAFLD. In addition, allele e4 showed a protective effect on NAFLD with an adjusted OR of 0.588 (95% CI: 0.420-0.824, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Our results suggested that ApoE genotype was associated with the development of NAFLD in the population of southern China. Individuals carrying e3/e3 were at higher risk of NAFLD, while those carrying e3/e4 were at lower risk of NAFLD.