CLOCK genetic variation and metabolic syndrome risk: modulation by monounsaturated fatty acids.
BACKGROUND
Disruption of the circadian system may be causal for manifestations of the metabolic syndrome (MetS).


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to study the associations of 5 CLOCK polymorphisms with MetS features by analyzing fatty acid (FA) composition from dietary and red blood cell (RBC) membrane sources.


METHODS
Participants (n = 1100) in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) study were included. Dietary intake was estimated with a validated questionnaire. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements and genotypes were determined. Postprandial lipids and the FA composition of RBC membranes were analyzed.


RESULTS
CLOCK single nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly associated with obesity and individual components of MetS. For single nucleotide polymorphism rs4580704, minor allele carriers had a 46% lower risk of hypertension than did noncarriers. The monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content of RBC membranes, particularly oleic acid, changed according to CLOCK genetic variants (P < 0.05). We identified significant gene-diet interactions associated with MetS at the CLOCK locus. By dichotomizing MUFA intake, we found different effects across rs4580704 genotypes for glucose (P = 0.020) and insulin resistance (P = 0.026). The protective effect of the minor allele on insulin sensitivity was only present when MUFA intake was >13.2% of energy. We also found different effects across CLOCK 3111T-->C genotypes for saturated fatty acid intake (% of energy) (P = 0.017). The deleterious effect of gene variants on waist circumference was only found with high saturated fatty acid intakes (>11.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
CLOCK polymorphisms interact with FAs to modulate MetS traits. The dietary source and membrane content of MUFAs are implicated in the relations between alterations in the circadian system and MetS.
Garaulet
Marta
M
Department of Physiology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain. garaulet@um.es
Lee
Yu-Chi
YC
Shen
Jian
J
Parnell
Laurence D
LD
Arnett
Donna K
DK
Tsai
Michael Y
MY
Lai
Chao-Qiang
CQ
Ordovas
Jose M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D056926:CLOCK Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012306:Risk
D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D056926:CLOCK Proteins; C538943:CLOCK protein, human