Riboflavin intake, MTRR genetic polymorphism (rs1532268) and gastric cancer risk in a Korean population: a case-control study

The vitamin B group, including riboflavin, plays paramount roles in one-carbon metabolism (OCM), and disorders related to this pathway have been linked to cancer development. The variants of genes encoding OCM enzymes and the insufficiency of B vitamins could contribute to carcinogenesis. Very few observational studies have revealed a relationship between riboflavin and gastric cancer (GC), especially under conditions of modified genetic factors. We carried out a study examining the association of riboflavin intake and its interaction with MTRR (rs1532268) genetic variants with GC risk among 756 controls and 377 cases. The OR and 95 % CI were evaluated using unconditional logistic regression models. We observed protective effects of riboflavin intake against GC, particularly in the female subgroup (OR = 0 center dot 52, 95 % CI 0 center dot 28, 0 center dot 97, P (trend) = 0 center dot 031). In the MTRR (rs1532268) genotypes analysis, the dominant model showed that the effects of riboflavin differed between the CC and CT + TT genotypes. Compared with CC carriers, low riboflavin intake in T+ carriers was significantly associated with a 93 % higher GC risk (OR = 1 center dot 93, 95 % CI 1 center dot 09, 3 center dot 42, P (interaction) = 0 center dot 037). In general, higher riboflavin intake might help reduce the risk of GC in both CC and TC + TT carriers, particularly the T+ carriers, with marginal significance (OR = 0 center dot 54, 95 % CI 0 center dot 28, 1 center dot 02, P (interaction) = 0 center dot 037). Our study indicates a protective effect of riboflavin intake against GC. Those who carry at least one minor allele and have low riboflavin intake could modify this association to increase GC risk in the Korean population.

Automated summary

The study suggests a protective effect of riboflavin intake against gastric cancer, especially in females and individuals with MTRR (rs1532268) genetic variants. Low riboflavin intake in T+ carriers may significantly increase the risk of gastric cancer.