Associations between CD36 gene polymorphisms, fat tolerance and oral fat preference in a young-adult population

CD36 is known to be an orosensory receptor for dietary long-chain fatty acids, as well as being involved in the chemosensory mechanisms within the human gut. Recent data have demonstrated an association between CD36 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and lipid consumption behaviours in humans. This study aimed to test for associations between CD36 SNPs and response to a high-fat meal in a young healthy Australian cohort. Secondary associations were tested between CD36 gene variants and fasting lipid parameters, body composition, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and measures of oral fat preference.

Two SNPs (rs1527479 and rs1984112) were assessed for associations with response to a 75 g saturated fat oral fat tolerance test (OFTT), whole-body substrate oxidation, fasting plasma lipids, CVD risk factors and self-reported habitual diet questionnaires. Genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Cross-sectional data were collected on 56 individuals (28 m, 28 f; 24.9±3.3 years), with 42 completing participation in a high-fat OFTT. No genotypic associations were evident in anthropometric data or self-reported fat preference measures. AA SNP carriers at rs1984112 exhibited significantly elevated fasting triglyceride when compared with non-carriers (P=0.024). This group also tended to have an elevated response to a high-fat meal (P=0.078).

Although these data show the potential pleiotropic influence of CD36 SNP rs1984112 on lipoprotein accumulation in a young healthy cohort, further assessment in a larger cohort is warranted.