Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Pro. Rwei-Fen S. Huang (R.-F.S.H.) statement:
The aims of the study were to investigate the cholinepolymorphic relationship on NAFL risk. The prevalence of PEMT V175M GA/AA genotypes significantly differ between HS and the control group, whereas such polymorphic alleles frequency was significantly lower in the hepatc steatosis (HS) group. Compared with the age and gender-matched controls, the HSs had significantly higher BMI and metabolic disorders of elevated blood triglyceride, liver injuries
(elevated AST and ALT levels), abnormal blood glucose levels, and insulin resistance. Thirty one percentage of HSs carried PEMT V175M GA/AA genotypes,
which polymorphic alleles frequency was significantly lower than in the controls with 55% A allele variants. The habitual intake of folate and choline
was significantly lower in the HS vs the controls. However, Mean plasma free choline of the HS group (12.4 μmol/) was significantly higher than
that of the controls (10.7 μmol/). Compared with those carried the PEMT V175 GG genotype, individuals carried the PEMT GA/AA variants had significantly lower BMI, reduced abnormal body adiposity (central and general obesity), and less hepatic fatty accumulation (P < 0.05). Blood choline status interacted with the PEMT GA/AA polymorphism to modify BMI, blood metabolic markers and fatty liver of the study subjects. For those with normal serum choline level (<11.63 ng/ml), GG genotype was associated with 3-fold increased risk of NAFL after multiple variable adjustment including age, sex, BMI, energy and fiber intake, and blood metabolomic disorders. Compared to those with normal choline levels, high blood choline levels were associated with more 2-fold increased risk of NAFL for GA/AA variants and 3.5-fold increased risk of NAFL. Collectively, the PEMT rs7946 GG genotype in combination with
high plasma choline levels was associated with increased risks of hepatic fat accumulation in patients with metabolic disorders.