A single nucleotide polymorphism in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A reductase gene (HMGCR) influences the serum triacylglycerol relationship with dietary fat and fibre in the european prospective investigation into cancer and cutrition in Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk) study.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of the single nucleotide polymorphism (rs17238540) at the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl- coenzyme A reductase gene (HMGCR) on the relationship between serum lipids and dietary fat and fibre (NSP). FFQ and pyrosequencing were used to assess cross-sectional dietary intake and HMGCR genotype in a population study with data for serum lipids available. Genotype frequencies and allele distributions for 23 011 participants were: TT 95·65 %, TG 4·29% and GG 0·06 %; T 97·8% and G 2·2 %. In regression analyses, the TG þ GG group showed a significant positive relationship between TAG and SFA intake (þ0·11 (95% CI 0·02, 0·20) mmol TAG/l; P¼0·017; per 3% SFA energy increase) while the TT individuals showed no change in the TAG levels related to SFA intake (20·0007 (95% CI 20·02, 0·02) mmol TAG/l; P¼0·99). TG þ GG individuals showed an inverse relationship between TAG and fibre intake higher (20·14 (95% CI 20·22, 20·05) mmol TAG/l than the TT group (20·04 (95% CI 20·06, 20·02) mmol TAG/l). In both cases the respective coefficient regressions of TAG were different between the genotype groups (Z ¼ 2·27, P¼0·023 for SFA intake; Z ¼ 2·19, P¼0·029 for fibre intake). Individuals carrying the G allele may show a greater response in lower TAG levels with reduced SFA intake and increased fibre intake compared with those homozygous for the T allele. The effectiveness of different dietary interventions to control serum lipids may vary according to HMGCR genotype.