Genetic polymorphisms of N-acetyltransferase 2 & susceptibility to antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity
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Updated: Mar 3, 2026

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Published on: May 10, 2024
Surendra K Sharma1, Brajesh Kumar Jha1, Abhishek Sharma1
1Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Background & Objectives:
The N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene encodes an enzyme which both activates and deactivates arylamine and other drugs and carcinogens. This study was aimed to investigate the role of NAT2 gene polymorphism in anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH).
Methods:
In this prospective study, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism results for NAT2 gene were compared between 185 tuberculosis patients who did not develop DIH and 105 tuberculosis patients who developed DIH while on anti-tuberculosis drugs.
Results:
Frequency of slow-acetylator genotype was commonly encountered and was not significantly different between DIH (82.8%) and non-DIH (77.2%) patients. However, the genotypic distribution of variant NAT2FNx015/FNx017 amongst slow-acetylator genotypes was significantly higher in DIH (56%) group as compared to non-DIH (39%) group (odds ratio 2.02; P=0.006).
Interpretation & Conclusions:
The present study demonstrated no association between NAT2 genotype and DIH in the north Indian patients with tuberculosis.
Insights
NAT2 gene polymorphism did not show a significant association with anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury. However, specific NAT2 variants were more common in patients who developed liver injury.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacogenomics
- Genetics
- Hepatology
Background:
- The N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene influences drug metabolism.
- Polymorphisms in NAT2 may affect susceptibility to drug-induced liver injury (DIH).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between NAT2 gene polymorphism and anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH).
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing NAT2 genotypes using PCR-RFLP in 185 tuberculosis patients without DIH and 105 with DIH.
- Analysis focused on slow-acetylator genotypes and specific variant distributions.
Main Results:
- Slow-acetylator NAT2 genotype frequency was similar between DIH (82.8%) and non-DIH (77.2%) groups.
- The NAT2*5/*7 variant genotype was significantly more prevalent in the DIH group (56%) versus non-DIH (39%) (OR 2.02, P=0.006).
Conclusions:
- No overall association found between NAT2 genotype and DIH in North Indian tuberculosis patients.
- Specific NAT2 variants may play a role, warranting further investigation.
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