HSD17B13 is a member of the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family, a group of enzymes involved in the metabolism of steroid hormones, prostaglandins, lipids, xenobiotics, and retinoids[15].The HSD17B13 protein is 300 amino acids long and contains an NAD(P)H binding site, a catalytic site, and a lipid droplet binding domain that targets the protein to the surface of hepatic lipid droplets[16].The rs72613567 is an indel, of which the predicted functional consequence is a splice donor variant of HSD17B13 gene[17].
Although the research on the relationship between HSD17B13 rs7261356: TA allelic variant and liver disease has attracted the attention of many researchers, the results vary from study to study. In addition to research on HCC and NAFLD in this meta-analysis, Peter Ferenci[18] determined HSD17B13:TA (rs72613567) variant by allelic discrimination real-time PCR in 586 Wilson’s disease (WD) patients. They get the conclusion that the HSD17B13: TA allele modulates the phenotype and outcome of WD. This allele likely ameliorates hepatic fibrosis and reduces the transition from copper induced hemolysis to fulminant disease in patients with WD. In this study, We use suitable mathematical models to perform quantitative analysis of multiple identical or similar research results, increasing the test efficiency of research results.
We developed a retrieval strategy and conducted literature quality evaluation according to the requirements of the Oxford Critical Appraisal Skill Program (Oxford CASP, 2004)19. Finally, 5 literatures meeting the requirements were included for data extraction. The fixed effect model was used to conduct combined analysis of the data of HCC compared with chronic liver disease. The random effect model was used to conduct combined analysis of the data of HCC compared with healthy controls and NAFLD compared with non-NAFLD. The results showed that HSD17B13 rs7261356: TA allelic variant was associated with HCC, but was not associated with NAFLD.
In the meantime, there are still some limitations in this article. First, due to the lack of a unified document quality evaluation standard, the included articles are subjectively selected and evaluated, which may affect the stability of the meta-analysis results. Second, since meta-analysis itself is a retrospective study, there is a degree of bias.Thirdly, due to the limited number of articles included, the credibility of the results of the meta-analysis may be impacted. Due to these limitations, we still need to expand the sample size to further and systematically evaluate case-control studies.
In summary, the polymorphism of HSD17B13 rs7261356: TA allelic variant was associated with HCC,but was not associated with NAFLD.