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

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+/-4.8kg/m(2)). 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/m(2)). 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 Mspl 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+/-17.5g/day for GG, GA and AA genotypes, respectively (Pe 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.