(P10-026-23) The Association of MTHFR Gene C677T Polymorphism and Daily Dietary Folate Intake With the Risks of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objectives: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T (rs 1801133) genetic polymorphism and daily dietary folate intake on the risks of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) risk have not been well elucidated. The aims of the study were to investigate the folate-genetic relationship on NAFL risk.

Methods: The study recruited patients with metabolic disorders from one regional hospital in 2020. By abdominal ultrasound diagnosis, 152 patients with hepatic steatosis (HS) and 98 controls without HS were included for the study. Habitual dietary folate intake was assessed using validated quantitative FFQ by a face-to-face interview. MTHFR C677T polymorphism, blood one carbon nutrients markers and metabolic disorder factors were analyzed for their association with HS risk.

Results: Genetic distribution of MTHFR C677T polymorphism was similar in controls (CC: 53.1%, CT, 39.8%, TT, 7.1%) and in the HS cases (CC: 52.6%, CT, 41.4%, TT, 5.9%) (p=0.914). In both female and male, higher values of body mass index (BMI), serum triglycerides (TG), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), plasma choline, and homocysteine and lower levels of HDL were associated with HS cases. In female, MTHFR C677T CC variant has higher IR level than CT/TT variant (p=0.095). In female, highest dietary energy-adjusted folate intake textiles had decreased prevalence of HS and obesity than the lower textiles (35.1% vs 57.9% and 65.8%, p=0.022 for HS, 64.9%, OR=0.394(95% CI: 0.155-1.001), p=0.050 ; 64.9% vs 86.8% and 76.3% for obesity, p trend=0.026 ), but not in male. Highest folate intake tertile in female also had lowest creatine kinase (CPK) and homocysteine (HCY) level (p tread= 0.027 and 0.038 respectively). MTHFR C677T CT/TT variant did not increase the risks of HS than CC variant in both female and male, even of lower dietary folate intake.

Conclusions: Higher daily dietary folate intake , not MTHFR C677T genetic poymorphism, was associated with decreased risks of hepatic fat accumulation with limited effects in patients with metabolic disorders.

Funding Sources: The Ministry of Health and Welfare-affiliated Taipei Hospital. The Ministration of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC.