The correlation between the polymorphism of lysolecithin acyltransferase (MBOAT7) rs641738 and liver fibrosis.

Objective: We aimed to explore the relationship between the MBOAT7 rs641738 gene polymorphism and liver fibrosis and inflammation.

Methods: A total of 214 patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) were allocated into the mild-to-moderate and severe liver fibrosis groups based on liver fibrosis degree. The genotypes at the MBOAT7 rs641738 locus were evaluated. Differences in clinical and biochemical indicators, as well as the genotype and allele frequency distributions of the MBOAT7 rs641738 polymorphism, were analyzed across groups with varying degrees of liver fibrosis. Additionally, the clinical and biochemical differences among patients with different genotypes were examined.

Results: Significant differences were observed in the distribution of CC, CT, and TT genotypes, as well as C and T allele frequencies at the MBOAT7 rs641738 locus, between patients with mild-to-moderate and severe fibrosis. Carriers of the CT + TT genotype had a higher risk of developing severe liver fibrosis compared to those with the CC genotype (OR > 1). Furthermore, CT + TT carriers had higher levels of inflammatory cytokines and more severe fibrosis than CC genotype carriers (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The MBOAT7 rs641738 gene polymorphism is associated with the severity of liver fibrosis and inflammation.