Association and interaction effect of UCP2 gene polymorphisms and dietary factors with congenital heart diseases in Chinese Han population

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common birth defects and the leading cause of non-infectious deaths in infants, with an unknown etiology. We aimed to assess the association of genetic variations in UCP2 gene, dietary factors, and their interactions with the risk of CHDs in offspring. The hospital-based case–control study included 464 mothers of children with CHDs and 504 mothers of healthy children. The exposures of interest were maternal dietary factors in early pregnancy and UCP2 genetic variants. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association and interaction of UCP2 gene and dietary factors with CHDs. Our results found that the polymorphisms of UCP2 gene at rs659366 and rs660339, together with maternal dietary factors including excessive intake of pickled vegetables and smoked foods were associated with increased risks of CHDs in offspring. Regular intake of fresh meat, fish and shrimp, and milk products were associated with lower risks of CHDs in offspring. Besides, positive interaction between the dominant model of rs659366 and excessive intake of pickled vegetables was found in the additive interaction model (RERI = 1.19, P = 0.044). These findings provide the theoretical basis for gene screening and a new clue for the prevention of CHDs in offspring.

The Interaction between Coffee: Caffeine Consumption, UCP2 Gene Variation, and Adiposity in Adults—A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Coffee is suggested as an alternative option for weight loss but the relationship between coffee consumption and adiposity in population-based studies is still controversial. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between coffee intake and adiposity in adults and to test whether uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene variation was able to affect this relationship. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in male and female adults living in the urban area of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Adiposity was determined based on body weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and waist and hip circumference. Data on coffee consumption and other dietary components were collected using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire along with other caffeine-containing beverages such as tea, chocolate, and other beverages. The −866 G/A UCP2 gene variation was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The correlation between coffee intake and adiposity was tested using linear regression test with adjustment for sex, age, energy intake, table sugar intake, and total caffeine intake. Results. In all subjects, coffee intake was inversely correlated with body weight (β = −0.122, p=0.028), BMI (β = −0.157, p=0.005), and body fat (β = −0.135, p=0.009). In subjects with AA + GA genotypes, coffee intake was inversely correlated with body weight (β = −0.155, p=0.027), BMI (β = −0.179, p=0.010), and body fat (β = −0.148, p=0.021). By contrast, in subjects with GG genotype, coffee intake was not correlated with body weight (β = −0.017, p=0.822), BMI (β = −0.068, p=0.377), and body fat (β = −0.047, p=0.504). Conclusion. We showed that coffee intake was negatively correlated with adiposity, and this was independent of total caffeine intake. Additionally, we showed that the −866 G/A UCP2 gene variation influences the relationship between coffee intake and adiposity.