Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome; its prevalence is increasing, especially in developed countries. Around 20% of individuals diagnosed with MASLD progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Owing to the liver's role in the removal and breakdown of circulating advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs), AGEs and the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) might be involved in MASLD development and progression. This study aimed to assess the effect of RAGE gene polymorphism (rs1800624) on the development of MASLD and MASH. METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 MASH patients compared to 30 MASLD patients collected from the outpatient clinic at the National Liver Institute and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Genotyping of the RAGE gene (rs1800624) was performed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. RESULTS: Patients with MASH had a higher incidence of diabetes and hypertension and a higher body mass index compared to those with MASLD. Genotyping of the RAGE gene (rs1800624) showed that the A allele frequency was higher among MASH patients compared to controls, with the AA genotype carrying a greater risk for MASH development compared to the (AT + TT) genotypes. CONCLUSION: The RAGE rs1800624 polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk of MASH development.