Angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and food-intake behavior in young, normal female subjects in Japan

Genetic determinants of food preferences: a systematic review of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Over the last decade, the results of several studies have indicated that adults' food preferences, consumption, and dietary choices vary depending on their genotype characteristics. However, the results of studies related to genes and polymorphisms involved in this phenomenon are contradictory. This study is a systematic review designed to evaluate the genetic determinants of food preferences.

METHODS

This study was conducted following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Searches were conducted to identify articles testing the impact of genotypes on food choices, preferences, and intake in healthy adults. The search included all relevant keywords, and studies published between 1/1/1994 and October 2022 were considered. We assessed the quality of included studies and evaluated the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies.

RESULTS

A total of 8,510 records were identified through our search method, and finally, 50 studies were included in this study. The majority of the studies evaluated the association of genetic variants with preferences for macronutrients, sweet, bitter, and fatty foods. The results of our study suggest a significant correlation between TAS2R38 variants (rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939) and bitter and sweet taste preferences. Additionally, we found a considerable association between the T102C polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and a higher intake of protein, and rs1761667 (CD36) was associated with fat preference.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study revealed a significant association between certain genetic variants and food preferences among adults.

Genetic Background of Taste Perception, Taste Preferences, and Its Nutritional Implications: A Systematic Review

Background: The rise in nutrition-related morbidity and mortality requires public health intervention programs targeting nutritional behavior. In addition to socio-economical, socio-cultural, psychological determinants, taste is one of the main factors that influence food choices. Differences in taste perception and sensitivity may be explained by genetic variations, therefore the knowledge of the extent to which genetic factors influence the development of individual taste preferences and eating patterns is important for public policy actions addressing nutritional behaviors. Our aim was to review genetic polymorphisms accounting for variability in taste and food preferences to contribute to an improved understanding of development of taste and food preferences.

Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using MeSH in PubMed and free text terms for articles published between January 1, 2000 and April 13, 2018. The search strategy was conducted following the PRISMA statement. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the validated Q-Genie tool.

Results: Following the PRISMA flowchart, finally 103 articles were included in the review. Among the reviewed studies, 43 were rated to have good quality, 47 were rated to have moderate quality, and 13 were rated to have low quality. The majority of the studies assessed the association of genetic variants with the bitter taste modality, followed by articles analyzing the impact of polymorphisms on sweet and fat preferences. The number of studies investigating the association between umami, salty, and sour taste qualities and genetic polymorphisms was limited.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a significant association exists between TAS2R38 variants (rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939) and bitter and sweet taste preference. Other confirmed results are related to rs1761667 (CD36) and fat taste responsiveness. Otherwise further research is essential to confirm results of studies related to genetic variants and individual taste sensitivity. This knowledge may enhance our understanding of the development of individual taste and related food preferences and food choices that will aid the development of tailored public health strategy to reduce nutrition-related disease and morbidity.

Association between Beta3-Adrenergic Receptor Trp64Arg Polymorphism and Fat Preference in Healthy Young Japanese Women

Beta3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) is a mediator of catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis in humans. The Trp64Arg polymorphism with T/C transition in the ADRB3 gene has been considered to reduce lipolysis and metabolic expenditure. Here, we investigated the hitherto unknown role of the Trp64Arg substitution on food preference among healthy young adults (mean age, 24.3; n = 53, including 25 men). Preference toward four food types (bitter, sour, salty, or sweet) and greasy (high-fat) foods was examined using a self-reported questionnaire. There was no noticeable sex-difference in food preference. Incidentally, only among female subjects, the genotype frequencies of the Trp64Arg polymorphism were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Consequently, female subjects were divided into two groups for further analyses: 18 subjects with TT genotype (Trp64Trp) (wild-type group) and 10 subjects with TC genotype (Trp64Arg) (heterozygous group). No significant difference was observed in preference for four food types between the groups. However, when sweet foods were divided into high-fat and low-fat subgroups, food preference for high-fat sweet foods in heterozygous group was significantly higher than that in wild-type group. Moreover, when subjects were divided into two classes based on preference for greasy foods (like, n = 16 or dislike, n = 12), the preference degree in heterozygous group who liked high-fat foods (n = 5) was significantly higher than that in wild-type group (n = 11), suggesting that the Trp64Arg substitution might genetically enhance high-fat food preference. Thus, understanding the relationship between ADRB3 Trp64Arg substitution and fat preference will be valuable for obesity prevention.

Relationship of the rs1799752 polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and the rs699 polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene to the process of in-stent restenosis in a population of Polish patients with stable coronary artery disease

PURPOSE

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may influence in-stent restenosis (ISR) via angiotensin II, which stimulates the production of growth factors for smooth muscle cells. The aim of this work is to assess the influence of the rs1799752 polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and the rs699 polymorphism of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene on the ISR in Polish patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) who underwent stent implantation.

MATERIAL/METHODS

Two hundred and sixty-five patients with SCAD were included in the study. All patients underwent stent implantation upon admission to the hospital and had subsequent coronary angiography performed. The patients were divided into two groups - those with significant ISR (n=53) and those without ISR (n=212). The ACE polymorphism was assessed using the classical PCR method and the AGT polymorphism was determined using the TaqMan method for SNP genotyping.

RESULTS

No difference in the frequency of angiographically significant ISR occurrence associated with the different ACE and AGT gene polymorphisms was observed. In a multivariable analysis, after correction for clinical variables, the relationship between the ACE and AGT genotypes within the scope of the analyzed polymorphisms and the process of restenosis was not found using a dominant, recessive and log-additive model. Late lumen loss was also independent of the genotypes of the polymorphisms before and after correction with angiographic variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The rs1799752 polymorphism and the rs699 polymorphism had no relationship with the occurrence of angiographically significant ISR and late lumen loss in a group of Polish patients who underwent metal stent implantation.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome

Obesity and its consequent complications such as hypertension and metabolic syndrome are increasing in incidence in almost all countries. Insulin resistance is common in obesity. Renin- angiotensin system (RAS) is an important target in the treatment of hypertension and drugs that act on RAS improve insulin resistance and decrease the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, explaining the close association between hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. RAS influences food intake by modulating the hypothalamic expression of neuropeptide Y and orexins via AMPK dephosphorylation. Estrogen reduces appetite by its action on the brain in a way similar to leptin, an anorexigenic action that seems to be mediated via hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus and synaptic plasticity in the arcuate nucleus similar to leptin. Estrogen stimulates lipoxin A₄, a potent vasodilator and platelet anti-aggregator. Since both RAS and estrogen act on the hypothalamic neuropeptides and regulate food intake and obesity, it is likely that RAS modulates LXA₄ synthesis. Thus, it is proposed that Angiotensin-II receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzymes and angiotensin-II antagonists may have the ability to augment LXA₄ synthesis and thus bring about their beneficial actions.

Influence of gestational salt restriction in fetal growth and in development of diseases in adulthood

Recent studies reported the critical role of the intrauterine environment of a fetus in growth or the development of disease in adulthood. In this article we discussed the implications of salt restriction in growth of a fetus and the development of growth-related disease in adulthood. Salt restriction causes retardation of fatal growth or intrauterine death thereby leading to low birth weight or decreased birth rate. Such retardation of growth along with the upregulation of the renin angiotensin system due to salt restriction results in the underdevelopment of cardiovascular organs or decreases the number of the nephron in the kidney and is responsible for onset of hypertension in adulthood. In addition, gestational salt restriction is associated with salt craving after weaning. Moreover, salt restriction is associated with a decrease in insulin sensitivity. A series of alterations in metabolism due to salt restriction are probably mediated by the upregulation of the renin angiotensin system and an epigenetic mechanism including proinflammatory substances or histone methylation. Part of the metabolic disease in adulthood may be programmed through such epigenetic changes. The modification of gene in a fetus may be switched on through environment factors or life style after birth. The benefits of salt restriction have been assumed thus far; however, more precise investigation is required of its influence on the health of fetuses and the onset of various diseases in adulthood.

Genetic and epigenetic transgenerational implications related to omega-3 fatty acids. Part I: maternal FADS2 genotype and DNA methylation correlate with polyunsaturated fatty acid status in toddlers: an exploratory analysis

Polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in toddlers is regulated by a complex network of interacting factors. The contribution of maternal genetic and epigenetic makeup to this milieu is not well understood. In a cohort of mothers and toddlers 16 months of age (n = 65 mother-child pairs), we investigated the association between maternal genetic and epigenetic fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) profiles and toddlers' n-6 and n-3 fatty acid metabolism. FADS2 rs174575 variation and DNA methylation status were interrogated in mothers and toddlers, as well as food intake and plasma fatty acid concentrations in toddlers. A multivariate fit model indicated that maternal rs174575 genotype, combined with DNA methylation, can predict α-linolenic acid plasma concentration in all toddlers and arachidonic acid concentrations in boys. Arachidonic acid intake was predictive for its plasma concentration in girls, whereas intake of 3 major n-3 species (eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids) were predictive for their plasma concentrations in boys. FADS2 genotype and DNA methylation in toddlers were not related to plasma concentrations or food intakes, except for CpG8 methylation. Maternal FADS2 methylation was a predictor for the boys' α-linolenic acid intakes. This exploratory study suggests that maternal FADS2 genetic and epigenetic status could be related to toddlers' polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism.