Dietary patterns and ethnicity are associated with distinct plasma proteomic groups

Area of Science:

• Nutrigenomics
• Proteomics
• Population Health

Background:

• High-abundance plasma proteins are linked to disease pathways and nutritional status.
• Limited understanding exists regarding plasma protein variations across ethnocultural groups with differing diets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between plasma proteomic groups, dietary patterns, and ethnicity.
• Study conducted in the ethnically diverse Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study cohort of young adults.

Main Methods:

• Quantified 54 high-abundance plasma proteins using liquid chromatography/multiple-reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry in 1090 individuals.
• Employed principal components analysis to define proteomic groups.
• Utilized linear regression to examine relationships between proteomic groups and dietary patterns (Western, prudent, Eastern).

Main Results:

• Identified four principal components representing distinct proteomic groups, including inflammatory and coagulation-related proteins.
• Observed significant differences in proteomic group scores and individual protein concentrations across ethnocultural groups (East Asians, South Asians).
• Found associations between proteomic groups and dietary patterns, with Component 1 linked to Western/Eastern diets and Component 3 to Eastern diets.

Conclusions:

• Plasma proteomic profiles exhibit variations among young adults from diverse ethnocultural backgrounds with distinct dietary habits.
• These proteomic differences may partially explain disparities in cardiometabolic disease incidence observed later in life.