Polymorphisms in the CD36 gene modulate the ability of fish oil supplements to lower fasting plasma triacyl glycerol and raise HDL cholesterol concentrations in healthy middle-aged men

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2008 Jun;78(6):327-35. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2008.04.003. Epub 2008 Jun 11.

Abstract

Five SNPs in the CD36 gene, 25444G>A, 27645del>ins, 30294G>C, -31118G>A and -33137A>G in haplotypic combinations, link to fasting plasma NEFA concentrations. Fish oil lowers TAG concentrations. The influence of CD36 SNPs on hypotriglyceridemic effects is unknown. The study examines how four of the SNPs modify the effects of fish oil on fasting plasma TAG, NEFA, glucose LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations in 111 healthy, middle-aged, Caucasian men. Subjects consumed habitual diets while taking 6g MaxEPA daily for 12 weeks. TAG decreased from 1.48 mol/l to 0.11 mmol/l, and glucose and HDL rose from 5.92 to 0.15 mmol/l and from 1.27 to 0.04 mmol/l, respectively, irrespective of genotype. NEFA was unaffected. Significant falls in TAG only occurred in individuals with the GG variant of the 25444, 30294, -31118 or -33137 SNPs. The TAG-lowering effects may be via stimulation of CD36 activity in extrahepatic tissue in individuals with the GG variants of these SNPs.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alleles
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • CD36 Antigens / genetics*
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fasting / blood
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / blood
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / analysis
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / blood
  • Fish Oils / administration & dosage
  • Fish Oils / pharmacology*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phosphatidylcholines / blood
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Triglycerides / blood*
  • White People / genetics

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • CD36 Antigens
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fish Oils
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Triglycerides