Vitamin D-related genes and cardiometabolic markers in healthy children: a Mendelian randomisation study

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Observational studies in adults and children show associations between low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile. This Mendelian randomization study examines associations between cardiometabolic markers in children and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to vitamin D metabolism and action. In 699 healthy 8-11-year-old children, we genotyped SNPs in vitamin D-related genes (DHCR7 (rs12785878, rs3829251); GC (rs4588, rs7041, rs12512631); CYP2R1 (rs10741657, rs10500804, rs156292); CYP27B1 (rs10877012); CYP24A1 (rs2296241); VDR (rs757343, rs2228570, rs11568820)). We generated a genetic risk score based on SNPs associated with low autumn 25(OH)D and investigated associations between the score and blood pressure, plasma lipids, and insulin. Furthermore, we examined whether SNPs in genes related to mechanisms of action modified associations between 25(OH)D and the cardiometabolic markers. All GC and CYP2R1 SNPs influenced serum 25(OH)D. A risk score based on four of the SNPs was associated with 3.4[95%CI 2.6;4.2] mmol/L lower 25(OH)D per risk allele (P<0.001), but was not associated with any of the cardiometabolic markers. However, VDR SNP-interactions were indicated on associations between 25(OH)D and triacylglycerol, systolic blood pressure, and insulin, which all decreased with increasing 25(OH)D only in major allele homozygotes of rs2228570 (β=-0.02[-0.04;-0.01] mmol/L, Pinteraction=0.021), rs11568820 (β=-0.5[-0.9;-0.1] mmHg, Pinteraction=0.081), and rs757343 (β=-0.5[-1.4;0.3] pmol/L, Pinteraction=0.077), respectively. In conclusion, genetic variation affected 25(OH)D substantially, but was not associated with cardiometabolic markers. However, VDR polymorphisms modified associations between vitamin D and some cardiometabolic markers in children. This warrants further investigation of the role of VDR in the relationship between vitamin D-status and cardiometabolic risk.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBritish Journal of Nutrition
Volume123
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1138-1147
Number of pages10
ISSN0007-1145
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Science - Vitamin D, Genetic polymorphisms, Children, Cadiometabolic risk

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