MN blood group affects response of serum LDL cholesterol level to a low fat diet

Abstract

Previous studies found that MZ twin pairs who are blood group NN have greater intrapair variability in plasma lipid levels than those who are MM or MN. This led to the prediction that the response of plasma lipid levels to a low fat diet would depend on MN blood group, the greatest response being in those who are NN. The present study was based upon 254 patients who took part in the Australian Polyp Prevention Project. This was a 2 × 2 × 2 randomised factorial design based upon the presence or absence of the three factors: a dietary fibre supplement, a beta‐carotene supplement and reduced intake of dietary fat. The lowering of plasma, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, in response to a low fat diet was greatest in those who were NN and least in MN heterozygotes. Overall, a reduction in LDL level was observed in the 47% of the APPP population who were on a low fat diet and who were homozygous MM or NN. The result was consistent with a balanced polymorphism at or near the GLYA locus on chromosome 4 that influences the sensitivity of plasma lipid levels to dietary fluctuations in fat intake.

Blood type biochemistry and human disease

“…Participants in a dietary intervention program with homozygous MM and NN genotypes (47%) had similar responses to a low‐fat diet, which resulted in almost all of the reported reduction in LDL cholesterol; in contrast, those with the heterozygous MN genotype (53%) had little or no response to the low‐fat diet . This finding is relevant when prescribing a low‐fat diet for LDL cholesterol management because it indicates that about half of the general population at large would have a similar response to a low‐fat diet …”

“…Studies since the early 1980s have investigated the genetic basis for differences in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and several have found an association between the MN blood group and LDL cholesterol levels . Participants in a dietary intervention program with homozygous MM and NN genotypes (47%) had similar responses to a low‐fat diet, which resulted in almost all of the reported reduction in LDL cholesterol; in contrast, those with the heterozygous MN genotype (53%) had little or no response to the low‐fat diet .…”

Association of ABO blood group, Rh phenotype and MN blood group with susceptibility to COVID-19

“…In this study, it was found that M+ accounted for 75.2% and N+ for 73.0%, which was lower in the former and higher in the latter than in the study of Halawani et al [25]. Early studies have found that MN blood group is related to plasma lipid level [26] and essential arterial hypertension in young adults [27], but whether it is related to COVID-19 infection is still unknown. Fortunately, we found that MN blood group was associated with susceptibility to COVID-19, although the reason is unknown.…”