Interaction of Genetics Risk Score (GRS) and Plant-Based Diet on factors Atherogenic and body adiposity indexes among overweight and obese women: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The association between plant-based foods with obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and their novel predictive biomarkers considering genetic predisposition remains uncertain. Given that diet is a significant and modifiable risk factor, we sought to investigate the interactions between plant-based diet and genetic susceptibility with atherogenic factors, and visceral and body adiposity indices in Iranian women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 377 obese and overweight women, aged 18–48 from Iran. Using standard protocols, anthropometric indices, body composition, physical activity, and serum profiles were measured. A validated 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to create three plant-based diets including the overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthy plant-based diet index (hPDI), and unhealthy plant-based diet index (uPDI). A genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated based on the risk alleles of the three BMI-related SNPs. The interaction between GRS and PDI was analyzed using a generalized linear model (GLM). Result There was a negative significant interaction between tertile 2 of PDI and moderate risk allele and high-risk alleles with AIP, TGy, LAP, and VAI compared to the low-risk allele (P-value < 0.05). There was a negative borderline significant interaction between tertile 2 of hPDI and moderate risk allele (P-value = 0.05) with ABSI compared to low-risk allele participants. There was a positive significant interaction between tertile 2 of uPDI and moderate risk allele with CRI.I (P-value = 0.03), CRI.II (P-value = 0.03) compared to low-risk allele participants. Also, there was a positive significant interaction between tertile 3 of uPDI and high-risk allele with ABSI (P-value = 0.02) compared to low-risk allele participants. Conclusion The present study provides evidence that interaction between PDI, hPDI, and uPDI with GSR is associated with atherogenic index and body composition. Prospective and interventional studies in different populations and ethnicities need to be conducted to further the knowledge about examining the interaction between PDI, hPDI, and uPDI with GSR are associated with atherogenic index and body composition.