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5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism is associated with food and alcohol intake in obese people

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages 920–924 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To test the association between a polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene, −1438G/A, and energy and nutrients intake, including alcohol.

SUBJECTS: Two hundred and seventy six unrelated overweight subjects (180 women, 96 men) were recruited from the Nutrition Department of Bichat Hospital in Paris on the basis of 120% of ideal body weight (body mass index, BMI=33.3±4.8 kg/m2). A second overweight sample (31 women, 49 men) was drawn from the Stanislas Family Study, composed of volunteers for a free health examination in Nancy (BMI=29.6±3.1 kg/m2).

MEASUREMENTS: Energy and nutrients intake were assessed using the diet history method in Paris and the 3-day record method in Nancy. We analyzed the polymorphism by PCR followed by MspI digestion. Statistical differences between genotypes were assessed by using the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test.

RESULTS: In the whole overweight population, the A allele was associated with lower energy intake 10.3±2.8, 9.9±2.8, 9.3±2.9 MJ/day for GG, GA and AA genotypes respectively (P<0.05). This association was significant in the patient sample from Paris and in the overweight male volunteers from Nancy. Allele A-related lowering in energy intake was due to a trend to lower intakes in all the main nutrients. The A allele was also associated with a lower alcohol consumption: 18.4±19.7, 15.3±21.2 and 12.3±17.5 g/day for GG, GA and AA genotypes, respectively (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that a gene polymorphism may influence food and alcohol intake in overweight humans. This could be explained by the role of the serotonergic system as a determinant of food intake.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the preclinic staff and laboratory department of the Centre for Preventive Medicine of Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, to the staff of the Nutrition Department of Bichat Hospital Paris, France and to the participating subjects who made this study possible. We are grateful to the public institutions and private companies who support the Stanislas cohort: University of Nancy, INSERM, CNRS, Nancy district, Beckman, BioMérieux, Daiichi, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Roche and Sebia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Nutrition Laboratory, Xavier Bichat Medicine School, BP416, Paris, 75870, Cedex 18, France

    R Aubert, D Betoulle & F Fumeron

  2. Centre for Preventive Medicine, 54501 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France

    B Herbeth & G Siest

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  1. R Aubert
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  2. D Betoulle
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  3. B Herbeth
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  4. G Siest
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Correspondence to F Fumeron.

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Aubert, R., Betoulle, D., Herbeth, B. et al. 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism is associated with food and alcohol intake in obese people. Int J Obes 24, 920–924 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801253

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