A variant in the heart-specific fatty acid transport protein 6 is associated with lower fasting and postprandial TAG, blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Authors:
Annegret Auinger, Ulf Helwig, Maria Pfeuffer, Diana Rubin, Mark Luedde, Tim Rausche, Nour Eddine El Mokhtari, Ulrich R Fölsch, Stefan Schreiber, Norbert Frey, Jürgen Schrezenmeir
Year of publication:
2012
Volume:
107
Issue:
10
Issn:
0007-1145
Journal title abbreviated:
BRIT J NUTR
Journal title long:
The British journal of nutrition
Impact factor:
4.125
Abstract:
Fatty acid transport protein 6 (FATP6) is primarily expressed in the heart and seems to be involved in cardiac fatty acid uptake. Therefore, we investigated whether a variation in the 5''-untranslated region of the FATP6 gene is associated with features of the metabolic syndrome and signs of myocardial alteration or heart failure. A total of 755 male participants from a Metabolic Intervention Cohort Kiel were genotyped for the FATP6-7T>A polymorphism (rs2526246) and phenotyped for features of the metabolic syndrome. Participants underwent a glucose tolerance test and the postprandial assessment of metabolic variables after a standardised mixed meal. Left ventricular heart function was evaluated in fifty-four participants. Fasting (P = 0·01) and postprandial (P = 0·02) TAG concentrations were significantly lower in AA homozygotes when compared with wild-type carriers. Homozygosity of allele A was associated with significantly lower postprandial insulin concentrations after a glucose load and significantly lower systolic (P = 0·01) and diastolic (P = 0·01) blood pressure values compared with wild-type carriers. Accordingly, left ventricular heart mass was significantly lower in twenty-seven AA homozygotes in comparison with twenty-seven TT homozygotes, matched for BMI (P = 0·04). In conclusion, the effects of the FATP6 polymorphism on TAG are mediated by affluent dietary fat. The FATP6-7T>A polymorphism may protect from traits of the metabolic syndrome and CVD.