FADS Gene Polymorphisms Confer the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in a Chinese Han Population through the Altered Desaturase Activities: Based on High-Resolution Melting Analysis

Abstract

ObjectiveWe explored the desaturase activities and the correlation of fatty acid desaturases (FADS) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with plasma fatty acid in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients in a Chinese Han population.MethodsPlasma fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography in CAD patients (n = 505) and a control group (n = 510). Five SNPs in the FADS gene were genotyped with high-resolution melting (HRM) methods.ResultsAfter adjustment, D6D activity, assessed as arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4n-6)/linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6), was higher in CAD patients (p<0.001). D9D activity, which was estimated as the ratio of palmitoleic acid (C16:1)/palmitic acid (C16:0) or oleic acid (C18:1n-9) to stearic acid (C18:0), was also increased (p<0.001). The genotype distributions of rs174537 G>T and rs174460 C>T were different between the two groups. The rs174537 T allele was associated with a lower risk of CAD [OR 0.743, 95% CI (0.624, 0.884), p = 0.001]. Carriers of the rs174460 C allele were associated with a higher risk of CAD [OR 1.357, 95% CI (1.106, 1.665), p = 0.003].ConclusionsWe firstly report that the rs174460 C allele is associated with a higher risk of CAD, and confirm that the rs174537 T allele is associated with a lower risk of CAD. Our results indicate that FADS gene polymorphisms are likely to influence plasma fatty acid concentrations and desaturase activities.

The impact of fatty acid desaturase genotype on fatty acid status and cardiovascular health in adults

“…The majority of studies to date suggest that FADS minor alleles (associated with decreased desaturase activity) are associated with reduced inflammation, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and coronary artery disease risk (Tables 1 and 2) (18,(27)(28)(29)(30)(31) . In the Verona Heart Study (2008), a coronary artery disease incidence of 84 v. 66 % was evident in individuals with six to seven v. two to three risk alleles and a higher AA:LA ratio was an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (18) .…”

Diet-Gene Interplay: An Insight into the Association of Diet and FADS Gene Polymorphisms

“…However, the influence of diet on this association has been studied only recently. Minor allele carriers of FADS genes have been observed to have lower levels of LC-PUFAs due to lower desaturase enzyme activity [10,[42][43][44].…”

Nutrigenomics: A Systems Approach to Cardiometabolic Disease and Personal Nutrition

“…A study conducted at the Wuhan Asian Heart Hospital (WAHH) explored the association of FADS gene SNPs with plasma fatty acids in Chinese Han patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) [4]. 5 SNPs (chromosome 11q12-13) showing the greatest variability in the FADS gene cluster (FADS1, FADS2, and FADS3) were selected for evaluation.…”