Dopamine D2 receptor genotype (C957T) and habitual consumption of sugars in a free-living population of men and women.
OBJECTIVE
The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) has been implicated in modulating the rewarding effects of foods high in sugar. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a variation in the DRD2 gene affects habitual consumption of sugars in a free-living population.


METHODS
Caucasian men (n = 96) and women (n = 217) 20-29 years of age completed a 1-month food frequency questionnaire and were genotyped for the C957T polymorphism in the DRD2 gene. Analyses of covariance with post-hoc Tukey tests were used to compare nutrient intakes between genotypes adjusting for potential confounders.


RESULTS
Among men, consumption of sucrose was 60 +/- 6, 48 +/- 4, and 39 +/- 5 g/day for those with the CC, CT and TT genotypes, respectively, with a significant difference between the homozygotes (p = 0.03), suggesting an additive mode of inheritance. Among women, sucrose consumption was 42 +/- 4, 53 +/- 2, and 44 +/- 4 g/day for the CC, CT and TT genotypes, respectively, with CC and CT differing significantly (p = 0.02), suggesting a partial heterosis mode of inheritance. No differences were observed for protein or fat.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that genetic variation in DRD2 influences food selection and may explain some of the interindividual differences in sugar consumption.
Eny
Karen M
KM
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Corey
Paul N
PN
El-Sohemy
Ahmed
A
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055105:Waist Circumference; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2