Interaction between FTO gene variants and lifestyle factors on metabolic traits in an Asian Indian population

Abstract

BackgroundLifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity have been shown to modify the association between fat mass and obesity–associated (FTO) gene variants and metabolic traits in several populations; however, there are no gene-lifestyle interaction studies, to date, among Asian Indians living in India. In this study, we examined whether dietary factors and physical activity modified the association between two FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs8050136 and rs11076023) (SNPs) and obesity traits and type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsThe study included 734 unrelated T2D and 884 normal glucose-tolerant (NGT) participants randomly selected from the urban component of the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES). Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated interviewer administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Physical activity was based upon the self-report. Interaction analyses were performed by including the interaction terms in the linear/logistic regression model.ResultsThere was a significant interaction between SNP rs8050136 and carbohydrate intake (% energy) (Pinteraction = 0.04), where the ‘A’ allele carriers had 2.46 times increased risk of obesity than those with ‘CC’ genotype (P = 3.0 × 10−5) among individuals in the highest tertile of carbohydrate intake (% energy, 71 %). A significant interaction was also observed between SNP rs11076023 and dietary fibre intake (Pinteraction = 0.0008), where individuals with AA genotype who are in the 3rd tertile of dietary fibre intake had 1.62 cm lower waist circumference than those with ‘T’ allele carriers (P = 0.02). Furthermore, among those who were physically inactive, the ‘A’ allele carriers of the SNP rs8050136 had 1.89 times increased risk of obesity than those with ‘CC’ genotype (P = 4.0 × 10−5).ConclusionsThis is the first study to provide evidence for a gene-diet and gene-physical activity interaction on obesity and T2D in an Asian Indian population. Our findings suggest that the association between FTO SNPs and obesity might be influenced by carbohydrate and dietary fibre intake and physical inactivity. Further understanding of how FTO gene influences obesity and T2D through dietary and exercise interventions is warranted to advance the development of behavioral intervention and personalised lifestyle strategies, which could reduce the risk of metabolic diseases in this Asian Indian population.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12986-016-0098-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gene–nutrient interactions on metabolic diseases: Findings from the GeNuIne Collaboration

“…Source: Vimaleswaran et al . (). (b) Interaction of the FTO gene polymorphism (rs11076023) with dietary fibre intake on BMI in Asian Indians.…”

“…Our study (Vimaleswaran et al . ) identified a significant interaction between FTO SNP rs8050136 and carbohydrate intake (% energy) ( P interaction = 0.04), where the ‘A’ allele (the high‐obesity‐risk variant of the FTO gene) carriers had 2.46 times increased risk of obesity than those with low‐obesity‐risk ‘CC’ genotype ( P = 3.0 × 10 −5 ) among individuals in the highest tertile of carbohydrate intake (% energy; mean: 71%). A significant interaction was also observed between FTO SNP rs11076023 and dietary fibre intake ( P interaction = 0.0008), where individuals with AA genotype in the 3rd tertile of dietary fibre intake had, on average, 1.62 cm lower waist circumference than those with low‐obesity‐risk ‘T’ allele ( P = 0.02) (Fig.…”

Depression increases the genetic susceptibility to high body mass index: Evidence from UK Biobank

“…Previous interaction studies on BMI‐related genetic variants and lifestyle factors highlight the importance of modifying diet and physical activity to decrease high BMI risk in genetically predisposed individuals (Celis‐Morales et al, ; Vimaleswaran et al, ). Another possible factor that may modify genetic susceptibility to high BMI is comorbid depression.…”

Nutritional Genomics of Cardiovascular Disease

“…Most of the studies shown above have been conducted in individuals of European ancestry. However, the effects of FTO and its interaction with either protein or fat intake on BMI seems to expand across ethnicities to Asian Indians (33). …”

“…Using individual FTO SNPs and GRS created with FTO SNPs, the authors found that the association of FTO variants with BMI was stronger in individuals who consumed high levels of dietary fiber. Individuals with AA of rs11076023 (33) and TT and AT of rs3751812 (34) had lower abdominal obesity or waist circumference in those who had the highest fiber intake (33,34). A member of the superfamily of non-haem-Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent dioxygenases, FTO is believed to be involved in regulation of energy intake with a key role in nervous and cardiovascular system (35,36).…”