Association of Lactase Persistence Genotypes (rs4988235) and Ethnicity with Dairy Intake in a Healthy U.S. Population.

Elizabeth L Chin,Nancy L Keim,Blythe Durbin-Johnson,Yasmine Y Bouzid,Ian Korf,Danielle G Lemay,Charles B Stephensen,Liping Huang,Ellen L Bonnel,Lacey M Baldiviez,Catherine P Kirschke

doi:10.3390/nu11081860

Elizabeth L Chin, Nancy L Keim + Show 9 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081860

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Abstract

Lactase persistence (LP) is a trait in which lactose can be digested throughout adulthood, while lactase non-persistence (LNP) can cause lactose intolerance and influence dairy consumption. One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP ID: rs4988235) is often used as a predictor for dairy intake, since it is responsible for LP in people in European descent, and can occur in other ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to determine whether rs4988235 genotypes and ethnicity influence reported dairy consumption in the United States (U.S.). A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and multiple Automated Self-Administered 24-h recalls (ASA24®) were used to measure habitual and recent intake, respectively, of total dairy, cheese, cow’s milk, plant-based alternative milk, and yogurt in a multi-ethnic U.S. cohort genotyped for rs4988235. Within Caucasian subjects, LP individuals reported consuming more recent total dairy and habitual total cow’s milk intake. For subjects of all ethnicities, LP individuals consumed more cheese (FFQ p = 0.043, ASA24 p = 0.012) and recent total dairy (ASA24 p = 0.005). For both dietary assessments, Caucasians consumed more cheese than all non-Caucasians (FFQ p = 0.036, ASA24 p = 0.002) independent of genotype, as well as more recent intake of yogurt (ASA24 p = 0.042). LP subjects consumed more total cow’s milk than LNP, but only when accounting for whether subjects were Caucasian or not (FFQ p = 0.015). Fluid milk and alternative plant-based milk consumption were not associated with genotypes or ethnicity. Our results show that both LP genotype and ethnicity influence the intake of some dairy products in a multi-ethnic U.S. cohort, but the ability of rs4988235 genotypes to predict intake may depend on ethnic background, the specific dairy product, and whether intake is reported on a habitual or recent basis. Therefore, ethnicity and the dietary assessment method should also be considered when determining the suitability of rs4988235 as a proxy for dairy intake.

Highlights

Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in cow’s milk and requires an enzyme called lactase (EC3.2.1.108) for hydrolysis
One single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (ID: rs4988235) occurs approximately 14 kb upstream of LCT and confers lactase persistence (LP), where the dominant A allele is associated with LP, and the G allele with lactase non-persistence (LNP). rs4988235 is responsible for LP in European-descending populations but is one of several SNPs that can lead to LP in African-descending populations [4,5]
Servings of total dairy was positively associated with height, weight, and body mass index (BMI); servings per 1000-kcal were associated with BMI and weight but not height (Figure S3)

Summary

Introduction

Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in cow’s milk and requires an enzyme called lactase (EC3.2.1.108) for hydrolysis. While lactase activity is high during infancy, activity diminishes after weaning in about two-thirds of the population [1,2]. In some populations, lactase activity is retained into adulthood, and lactose can continue to be digested in individuals carrying a heritable trait known. The global distribution of the LP phenotype varies in different populations, with low frequencies in people of Asian descent and high (over 75%) frequencies in some populations of European and African descent [1]. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with LP and vary in frequencies in different populations [3,4,5]. One SNP (ID: rs4988235) occurs approximately 14 kb upstream of LCT and confers LP, where the dominant A allele is associated with LP, and the G allele with lactase non-persistence (LNP). One SNP (ID: rs4988235) occurs approximately 14 kb upstream of LCT and confers LP, where the dominant A allele is associated with LP, and the G allele with lactase non-persistence (LNP). rs4988235 is responsible for LP in European-descending populations but is one of several SNPs that can lead to LP in African-descending populations [4,5]

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