Genetic and environmental contributions to serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations: the Stanislas Family Study.
BACKGROUND
Although numerous environmental factors are documented to influence serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations, little is known about the genetic versus the environmental contributions to variations in these traits.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate additive genetic heritability and household effects for serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in a variance component analysis.


METHODS
In a sample of 387 French families, information on serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations, usual dietary intake, lifestyle, and serum lipid profiles and related polymorphisms (apolipoprotein E, apolipoprotein C-III, apolipoprotein B, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, and lipoprotein lipase) was obtained.


RESULTS
For serum retinol--after adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, and serum albumin, triacylglycerol, and apolipoprotein A-I concentrations--additive genetic effects and shared common environment contributed 30.5% and 14.2% of the total variance, respectively. For serum alpha-tocopherol, approximately 22.1% of the total variance was due to the additive effects of genes and 18.7% to those of household environment, after adjustment for the covariates sex, age, vitamin E intake, oral contraceptive use, and cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and apolipoprotein A-I concentrations. For both vitamins, the influence of measured polymorphisms was not significant. Moreover, heritability and household effect estimates were not significantly different between the 4 classes of relatives and did not vary significantly when families shared more meals at home.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations are under genetic control in healthy families.
Gueguen
Sonia
S
INSERM U525, Nancy, France.
Leroy
Pierre
P
Gueguen
René
R
Siest
Gérard
G
Visvikis
Sophie
S
Herbeth
Bernard
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000483:Alleles; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004032:Diet; D004777:Environment; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014801:Vitamin A; D004247:DNA; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol