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

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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 (PP<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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