TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism association with diabetes and obesity in an elderly cohort from Brazil

Interaction between the TCF7L2 gene and dietary intake on metabolic syndrome risk factors among Saudi Arabian adults

Introduction

Transcription factor-7-like 2 (TCF7L2) is the most critical type 2 diabetes (T2D) gene identified to date. The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7903146 in TCF7L2 in T2D interacts with dietary factors; however, research on nutrigenetics among Saudi Arabians is limited. This study investigated the interaction between the SNP rs7903146 and dietary intake on factors that may contribute to MetS among Saudi Arabian adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 271 adult participants (aged 20-55 years) of both genders with or without overweight or obesity (body mass index between 18-35 kg/m2). Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessments using a food frequency questionnaire were performed. Fasting blood samples were collected to analyze serum lipid, glucose, and insulin levels. Genetic analysis was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Univariate regression was used to examine the association between the TCF7L2 SNP rs7903146 and laboratory parameters, and to test SNP-diet interactions. The additive model was used in the analysis and the T allele was the effect allele.

Results

A marginal significant association was observed between SNP rs7903146 and waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.05). Carriers of TT genotype had the highest WC (83.5 ± 20.1 cm), when compared with the CC genotype (80 ± 14.2 cm) and the TC genotype (77.9 ± 13.9 cm). The SNP rs7903146 was significantly associated with total energy intake (p = 0.04) and saturated fatty acids (SFA, p = 0.005), and TT carriers had the highest total energy and SFA consumption (3606.9 ± 1554.7 kcal, 66.8 ± 52.0 g, respectively). Only one near significant interaction was observed between SNP rs7903146 and total energy intake on insulin levels (p = 0.04), with carriers of the TT genotype showed a greater reduction in insulin values (-5.3 ± 3.5) at lower energy intake when compared with the CC (-2.4 ± 3.1), and TC (-4.7 ± 2.8). No significant interaction was found.

Conclusion

The present study observed significant associations between SNP rs7903146 and total energy and SFA consumptions. The TT carriers had increased consumption of total energy and SFA. Future studies using larger sample sizes are required to confirm significant interaction between SNP rs7903146 and diet on factors that may contribute to MetS in the Saudi population.

The Role of Wnt3a/β-Catenin/TCF7L2 Pathway in Diabetes and Cardiorenal Complications

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic disease that is becoming increasingly common worldwide and can lead to a number of dangerous complications. The Wnt signaling pathway is important for the onset and progression of diabetes. Wnt3a is a typical Wnt ligand that can increase the stability of β-catenin, control TCF7L2 expression, promote β-cell proliferation, and reduce apoptosis.

SUMMARY

The involvement of the Wnt3a/β-catenin/TCF7L2 signaling pathway in the development of diabetes and associated problems related to the kidneys is reviewed in this article.

KEY MESSAGE

We believe that a thorough comprehension of the molecular connections between diabetes and signaling pathways will eventually lead to improved diabetes management.

Genetic variation in NOTCH1 is associated with overweight and obesity in Brazilian elderly

Excessive weight (overweight and obesity) is a common disorder involving genetic and environmental factors, associated with cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, and others. NOTCH1 is critical for the maintenance of stem cells and adult tissues, being reported as a key player in metabolism and adipogenesis in animals. Thus, we test the hypothesis that NOTCH1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with excessive weight. Participants from the census-based cohort SABE (Saúde, Bem Estar e Envelhecimento-Health, Well-Being, and Aging), carried out in the city of São Paulo-Brazil, were stratified into cases and controls according to BMI. We filter the SNPs located at the start and end positions of NOTCH1 and 50 Kb on both sides. We selected SNPs with minor allelic frequency (MAF) greater than or equal to 0.01 and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05) and r2 ≥ 0.8. We performed an association study with genotypes and haplotypes, as well as in silico functional analysis of the identified SNPs. We observed an association of the SNP rs9411207 with the risk of excessive weight, under log-additive model, and the genotype distribution showed an increased frequency of homozygous TT (OR 1.50, CI 1.20-1.88; p = 0.0002). The haplotype GAT constructed from this and other SNPs in high Linkage Disequilibrium was more frequent in excessive-weight individuals (p = 0.003). In silico analyses suggested that these SNPs are likely to affect the transcription of NOTCH1 and other genes involved in adipogenesis and metabolism. This is the first study reporting association between NOTCH1 SNPs and the risk of excessive weight. Considering the possibility of NOTCH1 modulation, additional population studies are important to replicate these data and confirm the usefulness of risk genotypes for management strategies of excessive weight.

A study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a gene-based nutrition and lifestyle recommendation for weight management among adults: the MyGeneMyDiet® study

Introduction

Managing nutrition and lifestyle practices, nutrition phenotypes, and the genome forms the foundation of precision nutrition. Precision nutrition focuses on metabolic variability among individuals, and one approach to achieving its goals is to integrate gene-based nutrition and lifestyle recommendations in nutrition practice. However, scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of such recommendations is limited. This study will examine whether providing nutrition and lifestyle recommendations based on individual genotype can lead to better weight loss, along with reduction in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body fat percentage among overweight and obese adults.

Methods and analysis

A parallel group, single-blind, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Sixty-two overweight/obese individuals aged 19-59 years old will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the intervention (n = 31) or the control arm (n = 31). Participants in the intervention group will receive the MyGeneMyDiet® Recommendation for Weight Management, a gene-based nutrition and lifestyle recommendation that was developed based on existing evidence of the effects of FTO rs9939609 on body weight, BMI, and physical activity; UCP1 rs1800592 on calorie intake; and TCF7L2 rs7903146 on dietary fat intake. Participants in the control group will receive the standard recommendations for weight management. The primary outcomes will be the differences in weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage between arms in both the active phase (6 months) and inactive phase (last 6 months) of the trial. Participants in both arms will be evaluated at baseline and in months 3, 6, 9, and 12.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first gene-based intervention that will adopt a phase of intensive nutrition counseling, followed by a simulation of a free-living state to determine adherence to a gene-based recommendation. This study will contribute to the future implementation of precision nutrition interventions by providing evidence on the effectiveness of a gene-based nutrition and lifestyle recommendation for weight loss.

Clinical trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov, identifier [NCT05098899].

Molecular Genetics of Abnormal Redox Homeostasis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Numerous studies have shown that oxidative stress resulting from an imbalance between the production of free radicals and their neutralization by antioxidant enzymes is one of the major pathological disorders underlying the development and progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The present review summarizes the current state of the art advances in understanding the role of abnormal redox homeostasis in the molecular mechanisms of T2D and provides comprehensive information on the characteristics and biological functions of antioxidant and oxidative enzymes, as well as discusses genetic studies conducted so far in order to investigate the contribution of polymorphisms in genes encoding redox state-regulating enzymes to the disease pathogenesis.

Interactions between genetic and lifestyle factors on cardiometabolic disease-related outcomes in Latin American and Caribbean populations: A systematic review

Introduction

The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases has increased in Latin American and the Caribbean populations (LACP). To identify gene-lifestyle interactions that modify the risk of cardiometabolic diseases in LACP, a systematic search using 11 search engines was conducted up to May 2022.

Methods

Eligible studies were observational and interventional studies in either English, Spanish, or Portuguese. A total of 26,171 publications were screened for title and abstract; of these, 101 potential studies were evaluated for eligibility, and 74 articles were included in this study following full-text screening and risk of bias assessment. The Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) and the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I) assessment tool were used to assess the methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies.

Results

We identified 122 significant interactions between genetic and lifestyle factors on cardiometabolic traits and the vast majority of studies come from Brazil (29), Mexico (15) and Costa Rica (12) with FTO, APOE, and TCF7L2 being the most studied genes. The results of the gene-lifestyle interactions suggest effects which are population-, gender-, and ethnic-specific. Most of the gene-lifestyle interactions were conducted once, necessitating replication to reinforce these results.

Discussion

The findings of this review indicate that 27 out of 33 LACP have not conducted gene-lifestyle interaction studies and only five studies have been undertaken in low-socioeconomic settings. Most of the studies were cross-sectional, indicating a need for longitudinal/prospective studies. Future gene-lifestyle interaction studies will need to replicate primary research of already studied genetic variants to enable comparison, and to explore the interactions between genetic and other lifestyle factors such as those conditioned by socioeconomic factors and the built environment. The protocol has been registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42022308488.

Systematic review registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier CRD420223 08488.

Association of TCF7L2, CASC8 and GREM1 Polymorphisms in Patients with Colorectal Cancer and Type II Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study is to explore the association between the TCF7L2 rs7903146, CASC8 rs6983267 and GREM1 rs16969681 polymorphisms in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and colorectal cancer.

METHODS

Sixty individuals were enrolled in this case-control study: thirty with colorectal cancer and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and thirty healthy control individuals. Real-time PCR was used to determine the genotypes of TCF7L2 rs7903146, CASC8 rs 6983267 and GREM1 rs16969681 in patients with CRC and T2DM and in patients without T2DM and CRC. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was determined in the control group for the genotype distribution of every polymorphism.

RESULTS

People carrying the TT genotype of rs7903146, rs6983267 and rs1696981 had a significant association with T2DM and CRC. Moreover, the people with the TT genotype of rs1696981 had a greater risk for T2DM and CRC (OR = 7, CI 0.397-23.347).

CONCLUSIONS

TCF7L2 rs7903146, CASC8 rs6983267 and GREM1 rs16969681 could be risk factors for the association of T2DM with CRC.