Ala54Thr Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 2 (FABP2) Polymorphism in Recurrent Depression: Associations with Fatty Acid Concentrations and Waist Circumference |
| |
| Authors: | Roel J. T. Mocking Anja Lok Johanna Assies Maarten W. J. Koeter Ieke Visser Henricus G. Ruhé Claudi L. H. Bockting Aart H. Schene |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; 2. Program for Mood and Anxiety Disorders, University Center for Psychiatry UMCG, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.; 3. Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.; CRCHUM-Montreal Diabetes Research Center, Canada, |
| |
| Abstract: | BackgroundFatty acid (FA)-alterations may mediate the mutual association between Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, etiology of observed FA-alterations in MDD and CVD remains largely unclear. An interesting candidate may be a mutation in the fatty acid–binding protein 2 (FABP2)-gene, because it regulates dietary FA-uptake. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypotheses that in MDD-patients the FABP2 Ala54Thr-polymorphism would be (I) more prevalent than in sex- and age-matched controls, (II) associated with observed alterations in FA-metabolism, and (III) associated with CVD-risk factor waist circumference.MethodsWe measured concentrations of 29 different erythrocyte FAs, FABP2-genotype, and waist circumference in recurrent MDD-patients and matched never-depressed controls.ResultsFABP2-genotype distribution did not significantly differ between the 137 MDD-patients and 73 matched controls. However, patients with the Ala54Thr-polymorphism had (I) higher concentrations of especially eicosadienoic acid (C20:2ω6; P=.009) and other 20-carbon FAs, and associated (II) lower waist circumference (P=.019). In addition, FABP2-genotype effects on waist circumference in patients seemed (I) mediated by its effect on C20:2ω6, and (II) different from controls.ConclusionsAlthough Ala54Thr-polymorphism distribution was not associated with recurrent MDD, our results indicate that FABP2 may play a role in the explanation of observed FA-alterations in MDD. For Ala54Thr-polymorphism patients, potentially adaptive conversion of increased bioavailable dietary precursors into eicosadienoic acid instead of arachidonic acid might be related to a low waist circumference. Because this is the first investigation of these associations, replication is warranted, preferably by nutrigenetic studies applying lipidomics and detailed dietary assessment. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
