Journal Article

Dietary Intake and TCF7L2 rs7903146 T Allele Are Associated with Elevated Blood Glucose Levels in Healthy Individuals

Pilic, Leta, Graham, Catherine Anna-Marie, King, Alexandra, Stephenson, Sophie, Podboi, Isabela Cristina Ramos, Mavrommatis, Yiannis

2021

Overview

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a leading cause of global mortality with diet and genetics being considered amongst the most significant risk factors. Recently, studies have identified a single polymorphism of the TCF7L2 gene (rs7903146) as the most important genetic contributor. However, no studies have explored this factor in a healthy population and using glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), which is a reliable long-term indicator of glucose management. This study investigates the association of the genetic polymorphism rs7903146 and dietary intake with T2D risk in a population free of metabolic disease. Methods: T2D risk was assessed using HbA1c plasma concentrations and dietary intake via a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire in 70 healthy participants. Results: T allele carriers had higher HbA1c levels than the CC group (32.4 ± 7.2 mmol/mol vs. 30.3 ± 7.6 mmol/mol, p = 0.005). Multiple regression reported associations between diet, genotype and HbA1c levels accounting for 37.1% of the variance in HbA1c (adj. R 2 = 0.371, p < 0.001). The following macronutrients, expressed as a median percentage of total energy intake (TEI) in the risk group, were positively associated with HbA1c concentration: carbohydrate (≥39% TEI, p < 0.005; 95% CI 0.030/0.130) protein (≥21% TEI, p < 0.005, 95% CI 0.034/0.141), monounsaturated (≥15% TEI p < 0.05, 95% CI 0.006/0.163) and saturated fatty acids (≥13% TEI; p < 0.05, 95% CI 0.036/0.188). Conclusion: Carriers of the T allele showed significantly higher levels of HbA1c compared to non-carriers. Dietary intake affected T2D risk to a greater extent than genetic effects of TCF7L2rs7903146 genotype in a healthy population. The study focus on healthy individuals is beneficial due to the applicability of findings for T2D screening.

• Publisher: S. Karger AG,Karger Publishers
• Subject: Alleles / Blood Glucose / Body fat / Body mass index / Carbohydrates / Diabetes / Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent) / Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - genetics / Diet / Dietary intake / Eating / Energy intake / Fatty acids / Food / Food intake / Gene polymorphism / Genetic effects / Genetic testing / Genetics / Genotype & phenotype / Glucagon / Glucose / glycated haemoglobin / Hemoglobin / Humans / Insulin resistance / Laboratories / Metabolic disorders / Nutrition research / Polymorphism / Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Population studies / Questionnaires / Regression analysis / Research Article / Risk factors / rs7903146 / tcf7l2 / Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein - genetics / type 2 diabetes / Variables