TA allele of rs2070673 in the CYP2E1 gene is associated with lobular inflammation and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with biopsy‐proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background and Aim Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) plays a role in lipid metabolism, and by increasing hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation, the upregulation of CYP2E1 is involved in development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We aimed to explore the relationship between CYP2E1‐333A>T (rs2070673) and the histological severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods We studied 438 patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD. NASH was defined as NAFLD Activity Score ≥ 5 with existence of steatosis, ballooning, and lobular inflammation. CYP2E1‐333A>T (rs2070673) was genotyped by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry. Serum cytokines related to inflammation were measured by the Bio‐plex 200 system to investigate possible mediating factors involved in the process. Results The TA genotype of rs2070673 had a higher prevalence of moderate/severe lobular inflammation (27.6% vs 20.3% vs 13.3%, P