Identification of variants in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster associated with total cholesterol and HDL‐C in young Mexican college students. UP‐AMIGOS study.

Abstract

A recent genome‐wide association study (GWA) in the Mexican population has identified several genetic loci associated with blood lipid levels in adults. The FADS gene cluster has not been studied in youngsters. Our aim was to report the single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the FADS gene cluster associated with high TC, and low HDL‐C in young Mexicans from the college‐age UP‐AMIGOS cohort. Anthropometrics, smoking habits, cardiovascular disease history, and serum lipid profile were determined (n=72, aged 18–21 years). Genotyping was conducted using the Illumina system. Genotype‐phenotype associations were assessed by multiple linear regression models adjusted by sex and age. Genetic variability in the FADS gene was associated with TC (6 SNPs) and HDL‐C (2 SNPs) levels. Our data provides new valuable information for future studies where other environmental factors (diet, exercise) are taken into consideration to better understand the onset of dyslipidemia. It also provides useful data for early identification of individuals at risk and for comparative studies in different population.Grant Funding Source: USDA/NIFA Hatch Project (#600108–793000‐793323 and #600109–698000‐698354)