Apolipoprotein C3 Gene Polymorphisms Are Not a Risk Factor for Developing Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT: Our objective was to evaluate the effect of gene polymorphisms of apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in different populations. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a meta-analysis of all relevant studies published in the literature. A total of 115 clinical trials or reports were identified, but only seven trials met our inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was performed according to the Cochrane Reviewers’ Handbook recommendations. RESULTS: Five hospital-based and two population-based case-control studies were included in the final analysis. The overall frequency of APOC3 gene polymorphisms was 67.5% (1177/1745) in NAFLD and 68.8% (988/1437) in controls. The summary odds ratio for the association of gene polymorphisms of APOC3 and the risk of NAFLD was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.89-1.22),which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis, while not ruling out possible publication bias, showed no association between gene polymorphisms of APOC3 and the risk of NAFLD development in different populations in the world.