CD36 AA genotype is associated with decreased lipid taste perception in young obese, but not lean, children

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Human Physiology
• Nutritional Science
• Pediatric Obesity Research

Background:

• Obesity is a growing global health concern affecting children.
• Fat overconsumption is a key contributor to childhood obesity.
• A variant in the CD36 gene (SNP rs1761667-A allele) may influence fat detection thresholds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between fatty acid sensitivity and the CD36 gene single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1761667.
• To compare CD36 SNP association with fat taste perception in obese versus lean children.

Main Methods:

• Studied lingual detection thresholds for oleic acid emulsions in 116 Algerian children (aged 8 years).
• Classified children into obese (n=57) and lean (n=59) groups based on BMI z-scores.
• Genotyped children for the CD36 A/G SNP rs1761667 using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Main Results:

• Obese children showed a significantly higher frequency of the CD36 A-allele (P=0.036) compared to lean children.
• The CD36 A-allele was associated with higher lipid taste perception thresholds in obese children, but not in lean children.
• Increased waist circumference correlated positively with reduced fat taste sensitivity in the studied children.

Conclusions:

• The CD36 SNP A-allele is present in both lean and obese children.
• This specific gene variant is linked to high fatty acid taste sensitivity thresholds exclusively in obese children.
• The findings suggest a potential genetic predisposition related to CD36 influencing fat perception and obesity in children.