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Genetic variation in the sucrase‐isomaltase ( SI) gene is associated with dietary intake in a young adult population
Author(s) -
Sorkin Riva,
Wolever Thomas,
ElSohemy Ahmed
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.127.7
Subject(s) - single nucleotide polymorphism , minor allele frequency , genotype , genetic variation , population , genetic variability , biology , medicine , genetics , endocrinology , gene , environmental health
Background Genetic variation contributes to individual differences in energy and nutrient intake and may be a contributing factor to the selection of certain foods and macronutrient preference. Sucrase‐isomaltase is a brush border enzyme encoded by the SI gene and plays an important role in starch digestion. Research on genetic variation in SI has mostly focused on rare mutations that result in congenital sucrase‐isomaltase deficiency, a severe digestive disorder. The objective of this study was to determine whether common variants in the SI gene are associated with habitual dietary intake. Methods Fasting blood samples were drawn from a total of 1,400 ethno‐culturally diverse participants aged 20–29 years from the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study for genotyping of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SI gene: rs4557160 (C > T), rs7649108 (C >T), rs9756306 (G >A), rs12496714 (A >T) and rs13069478 (C >T). Dietary intake was assessed using a one‐month, 196‐item Toronto‐modified Willett food frequency questionnaire. The prevalence of the SI gene variants was compared using χ 2 . An analysis of covariance adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, and physical activity was used to determine the association between SI genotypes and dietary intake. Results Among Caucasians rs9756306 and rs12496714 were associated with total energy intake. Carriers of the minor allele had significantly higher energy intakes 2112 vs. 1194 kcal/day, p = 0.02 and 2011 vs. 1990 kcal/day, p = 0.03 respectively). The rs7649108 SNP was associated with starch consumption, whereby carriers of the minor allele had a significantly lower starch intake (115.8 vs. 120.9 g starch/day, p = 0.02). No associations were observed between rs4557160, rs13069479 and dietary intake. Conclusion Polymorphisms in the SI gene are associated with dietary intake patterns. Identifying the genetic determinants of dietary intake and food preference may enhance our understanding of excessive caloric intake and obesity, a common risk factor of many chronic conditions. Support or Funding Information Research support from Mitacs, Prof. Ahmed El‐Sohemy