Genetics
Carriers of the CETP Taq1B B2 allele only show worse cholesterol with a high-sucrose diet or physical inactivity, a gene-environment study finds (J Hum Nutr Diet 2020)
Original title: Physical inactivity and excessive sucrose consumption are associated with higher serum lipids in subjects with Taq1B CETP polymorphism
The B1 allele of the Taq1B CETP polymorphism has been linked to higher CETP levels and triglycerides, but its interaction with diet and physical activity was unclear. This cross-sectional study of 215 subjects assessed diet by 3-day food record and physical activity by WHO criteria, genotyping the Taq1B CETP polymorphism by allelic discrimination. Among subjects consuming 5% or more of daily calories as sucrose, those with the B1B2/B2B2 genotype had higher total cholesterol (200.19 versus 165.55 mg/dL) and LDL cholesterol (128.64 versus 99.29 mg/dL) than B1B1 carriers (P for interaction = 0.034 and 0.037). Among physically inactive subjects, B1B2/B2B2 carriers likewise had higher total cholesterol than B1B1 carriers (194.49 versus 177.48 mg/dL, P for interaction = 0.033). The authors conclude that inadequate diet and inactivity worsen lipid levels specifically in carriers of the CETP polymorphic genotype, a gene-environment interaction rather than a genotype effect alone.
Original abstract
Background: Dyslipidaemias result from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, including diet disequilibrium and physical inactivity. Among the genetic factors associated with serum lipids, the Taq1B CETP polymorphism has been investigated. The B1 allele has been considered as a risk factor for dyslipidaemia because of its association with greater CETP levels and higher serum triglycerides. The present study aimed to determine the role of the Taq1B polymorphism with lipid and anthropometric variables and its interaction with diet and physical activity.
Methods: In total, 215 subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Diet intake was evaluated using a 3-day food consumption record and physical activity was determined in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations. The Taq1B CETP polymorphism was determined by allelic discrimination.
Results: Subjects with the B1B2/B2B2 genotype, who had a sucrose consumption ≥5% of the total kcal day-1 , had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC) [165.55 (142.21-188.89) mg dL-1 versus 200.19 (184.79-215.60) mg dL-1 ; P for interaction = 0.034] and low-density lipoprotein [99.29 (75.52-123.05) mg dL-1 versus 128.64 (113.59-143.69) mg dL-1 ; P for interaction = 0.037] than subjects with the B1B1 genotype. Subjects who did not perform physical activity and had the B1B2/B2B2 genotype showed significantly higher levels of TC [177.48 (161.36-193.60) mg dL-1 versus 194.49 (185.43-203.56) mg mL-1 ; P for interaction = 0.033] than subjects with the B1B1 genotype.
Conclusions: We provide evidence that subjects with inadequate environmental factors carriers of the polymorphic genotype had higher serum lipid levels than subjects with the B1B1 genotype.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.