NAFLD‐related gene polymorphisms and all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality in an Asian population: the Shanghai Changfeng Study

BACKGROUND: The PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 gene variants have been found to cause NAFLD with a favourable cardiovascular risk profile. AIMS: To investigate the effects of the NAFLD risk alleles on the all-cause and cause-specific mortality in 5581 Chinese adults. METHODS: The genome-wide genotypes were detected using a genotyping array and serum lipoprotein profiles were examined using 1H NMR platform. Liver fat content (LFC) was measured using a quantitative ultrasound method. The vital status was determined using official registration data. RESULTS: < 0.05). The reduced serum VLDL1 concentration was responsible for the increased liver-specific mortality related to NAFLD risk alleles. CONCLUSION: The PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G variant and its combination with TM6SF2 rs58542926 C>T and MBOAT7 rs641738 C>T variants increase liver-specific mortality but reduce cardiovascular mortality in overweight/obese Chinese.