Postprandial Hypertriglyceridemia Is Associated with the Variant 54 Threonine

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Metabolic Disorders
• Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Background:

• Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (FABP2) plays a role in fatty acid metabolism.
• The FABP2 Ala54Thr gene polymorphism has been implicated in postprandial hypertriglyceridemia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism and fat intolerance.
• To examine this association in healthy, normolipidemic individuals without diabetes.

Main Methods:

• 158 healthy individuals underwent an oral fat tolerance test.
• Plasma triglyceride levels were measured at 0, 2, and 4 hours post-ingestion.
• FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism was genotyped using PCR-RFLP.

Main Results:

• The fat intolerant group (postprandial hypertriglyceridemia) showed a higher frequency of the Thr54Thr genotype (23% vs. 4%).
• Carriers of at least one Thr54 allele were significantly more prevalent in the fat intolerant group (OR: 6.35).
• Plasma triglyceride levels at 4 hours were higher in carriers of the 54Thr allele compared to Ala54 allele carriers.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and the FABP2 gene's 54Thr allele.
• Individuals with this genotype exhibited an increased triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio, indicating elevated CVD risk and insulin resistance.