Polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and food intakes in children and adolescents: the Stanislas Family Study.
BACKGROUND
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) is a key mediator in the control of food intake and is probably involved in the etiology of anorexia nervosa. An association between a polymorphism of the 5-HT receptor (5-HT2A) gene promoter (-1438G/A) and anorexia nervosa has been reported.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the relation between the -1438G/A polymorphism of the 5-HT(2A) gene and the energy and macronutrient intakes of children and adolescents.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 370 children and adolescents aged 10-20 y (176 boys and 194 girls from 251 families) drawn from the Stanislas Family Study. Energy and macronutrient intakes were assessed by using 3-d food records. The -1438G/A polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and then by Hpa II digestion.


RESULTS
In the overall group, after adjustment for age, sex, weight, height, and family correlation, the A allele was significantly associated with lower energy (P for trend = 0.045) and with total, monounsaturated, and saturated fat intakes expressed in g/d (P for trend = 0.007, 0.005, and 0.006, respectively). Subjects with the GA genotype had intermediate values. In addition, genotype x sex and genotype x age interactions were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The 5-HT2A gene polymorphism in the promoter region is associated with energy and fat intakes in young people. This could be explained by the role of the serotonergic system as a determinant of food intakes and eating behavior.
Herbeth
Bernard
B
From INSERM U525, Epidemiologic and Molecular Genetics of Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculté de Pharmacie, Nancy, France, and the Centre de Médecine Préventive, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France. bernard.herbeth@nancy.inserm.fr
Aubry
Eléonore
E
Fumeron
Frédéric
F
Aubert
Roberte
R
Cailotto
Frédéric
F
Siest
Gérard
G
Visvikis-Siest
Sophie
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000235:genetics*
D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A