PNPLA3 and Hepatic steatosis: PNPLA3 polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis in NAFLD (Romeo et al. 2008; Rotman et al. 2010; Valenti et al. 2010; Sookoian and Pirola 2011; Burza et al. 2012; Kawaguchi et al. 2012; Kitamoto et al. 2013).