Association between the APOA2 promoter polymorphism and body weight in Mediterranean and Asian populations: replication of a gene–saturated fat interaction

Abstract

ObjectiveThe APOA2 gene has been associated with obesity and insulin resistance (IR) in animal and human studies with controversial results. We have reported an APOA2-saturated fat interaction determining body mass index (BMI) and obesity in American populations. This work aims to extend our findings to European and Asian populations.MethodsCross-sectional study in 4602 subjects from 2 independent populations: A high cardiovascular risk Mediterranean population (n=907 men and women; aged 67+/−6 years) and a multiethnic Asian population (n=2506 Chinese, n=605 Malays and n=494 Asian Indians; aged 39+/−12 years), participating in a Singapore National Health Survey. Anthropometric, clinical, biochemical, lifestyle and dietary variables were determined. Homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) was used in Asians. We analyzed gene-diet interactions between the APOA2 −265T>C polymorphism and saturated fat intake (<or>=22 g/d) on anthropometric measures and IR.ResultsFrequency of CC subjects differed among populations (1%–15%). We confirmed a recessive effect of the APOA2 polymorphism, and replicated the APOA2–saturated fat interaction on body-weight. In Mediterranean individuals, the CC genotype was associated with a 6.8% greater BMI in those consuming a high (P=0.018), but not a low (P=0.316) saturated fat diet. Likewise, the CC genotype was significantly associated with higher obesity prevalence in Chinese and Asian Indians only with a high-saturated fat intake (P=0.036). We also found a significant APOA2-saturated fat interaction in determining IR in Chinese and Asian Indians (P=0.026).ConclusionThe influence of the APOA2 −265T>C polymorphism on body-weight-related measures was modulated by saturated fat in Mediterranean and Asian populations.

Association between ApoA-II -265T/C polymorphism and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…The sample size was determined to allow detection of a 20% difference in mean serum concentration of at least one oxidative stress factor between the groups, with an α error of 0.05 and a β power of 80%. On the basis of the results obtained in the previous studies, similar effects have been found for TT and TC genotypes (Corella et al, 2007(Corella et al, , 2009(Corella et al, , 2011. Therefore, the patients were subdivided into two groups, homozygous for the allele C (CC) and the T-allele carriers (TT/TC), according to different genotypes of ApoA-II.…”

The importance of gene–environment interactions in human obesity

“…The apolipoprotein A-II (APOA2) -265 T>C promoter functional polymorphism appears to interact with high-saturated fat to increase BMI and obesity risk in several independent populations (Mediterranean, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic and Caribbean) [138,139]. High-saturated fat intake was associated with significant increases in the genetic risk for obesity across populations [139].…”

Mediterranean Diet and Gene-Mediterranean Diet Interactions in Determining Intermediate Cardiovascular Disease Phenotypes

“…These results were replicated for the first time in three independent populations (Corella et al, 2009). Subsequently, the authors replicated this interaction in Mediterranean and Chinese populations (Corella et al, 2011) confirming the importance of genetic modulation by dietary factors, and also the need to replicate gene-diet interactions to increase the scientific evidence and finally to contribute to personalize diet based on genetic susceptibility.…”