Impact of genetic polymorphism on personalized diet and exercise program for steatotic liver disease

The effects of genetic polymorphism on a personalized diet and exercise program for steatotic liver disease (SLD) are still unclear.

Participants of this retrospective cohort study were 203 Japanese patients with SLD diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. All of them were introduced the personalized diet and exercise treatment. A diet of 25-30 kcal/kg multiplied by ideal body weight (BW) daily and aerobic and resistance exercise (exercise intensity of 4-5 metabolic equivalents daily, respectively) were performed for 6 days. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in terms of the rate of decrease of liver function tests, glycolipid metabolism markers, physical findings, image findings, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score at 6 months compared with baseline. Furthermore, the impact of genetic polymorphism was also investigated.

At 6 months compared with baseline, liver function tests (AST, ALT, γGTP), glycolipid metabolism markers (hemoglobin A1c, triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), physical findings (BW, body mass index), image finding (liver stiffness measurement), and CVD risk score (Suita score) improved significantly. There was no significant difference in treatment efficacy, except for the rates of decrease of TG, according to genotype PNPLA3 rs738409, TM6SF2 rs58542926, and HSD17B13 rs6834314. The rates of decrease of TG with TM6SF2 CT were significantly higher than those with CC or TT, and the rates of TG with HSD17B13 AA were significantly higher than those with AG by multiple comparisons.

Personalized diet and exercise program for SLD improved liver function tests, physical findings, glycolipid metabolism markers, and CVD risk score. Genetic polymorphism might partially affect treatment efficacy. Further studies should be performed to develop an individualized program for SLD, considering genetic polymorphism.