DOI: 10.5061/dryad.6m905qgbg
title: Interaction between the TCF7L2 gene and dietary intake on metabolic syndrome risk factors among Saudi Arabian adults

description: Transcription factor-7-like 2 (TCF7L2) is the most critical type 2
 diabetes (T2D) gene identified to date. The single-nucleotide polymorphism
 (SNP) rs7903146 in TCF7L2 in T2D interacts with dietary factors; however,
 research on nutrigenetics among Saudi Arabians is limited. This study
 investigated the interaction between the SNP rs7903146 and dietary intake
 on factors that may contribute to MetS among Saudi Arabian adults. This
 cross-sectional study included 271 adult participants (aged 20–55 years)
 of both genders. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessments using
 a food frequency questionnaire were performed. Fasting blood samples were
 collected to analyze serum lipid, glucose, and insulin levels. Genetic
 analysis was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
 Univariate regression was used to examine the association between the
 TCF7L2 SNP rs7903146 and laboratory parameters, and to test SNP-diet
 interactions. The additive model was used in the analysis and the T allele
 was the effect allele. A marginal significant association was observed
 between SNP rs7903146 and waist circumference (WC) (P=0.05). Carriers of
 the TT genotype had the highest WC (83.5± 20.1 cm) when compared with the
 CC genotype (80± 14.2 cm) and the TC genotype (77.9± 13.9 cm). The SNP
 rs7903146 was significantly associated with total energy intake (P = 0.04)
 and saturated fatty acids (SFA, P = 0.005), and TT carriers had the
 highest total energy and SFA consumption (3606.9± 1554.7 kcal, 66.8± 52.0
 g, respectively). Only one near significant interaction was observed
 between SNP rs7903146 and total energy intake on insulin levels (P=0.04),
 with carriers of the TT genotype showing a greater reduction in insulin
 values (-5.3± 3.5) at lower energy intake when compared with the CC (-2.4±
 3.1), and TC (-4.7± 2.8). No significant interaction was found. The
 present study observed significant associations between SNP rs7903146 and
 total energy and SFA consumptions. The TT carriers had increased
 consumption of total energy and SFA. Future studies using larger sample
 sizes are required to confirm a significant interaction between SNP
 rs7903146 and diet on factors that may contribute to MetS in the Saudi
 population.
description: # Interaction between the TCF7L2 gene and dietary intake on metabolic
 syndrome risk factors among Saudi Arabian adults
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.6m905qgbg](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.6m905qgbg) ## Description of the data and file structure A cross-sectional study was conducted with participants from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, recruited between January 2023 and November 2023. The study sample included 274 adults (aged 20-55 years) of both genders with or without overweight or obesity according to body mass index (BMI ranged from 18-35 kg/m^2). Exclusion criteria included the presence of any diagnosed disease (such as both type 1 and 2 diabetes, CVD, hypertension, human immunodeficiency virus infection, liver disease, renal failure, cancer, or gastrointestinal disorder), use of medication that affected serum lipids or diabetic parameters, chemo or radiation therapy, surgery within the last 6 months, and women who were pregnant or lactating. Study participants were recruited at the King Fahd Medical Research Center after having received the invitation extended to all students and personnel of King Abdulaziz University via the university's email and social media platforms. The invitation included a brief description of the study, the purpose, and the inclusion criteria for voluntary participation. Participants visited the Nutrition Assessment Lab, Faculty of Human Sciences and Development, and Roya Labs, Specialized Medical Laboratories, at King Abdulaziz University. Factors contributing to MetS assessed included BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and triglycerides (TG), glucose, and insulin while dietary factors included total energy and macronutrient intake. A questionnaire was prepared to collect anthropometric, lifestyle, and dietary data through face-to-face interviews with the participants. Anthropometric assessments were performed by one of the research teams at the beginning of the visit, before collecting blood samples from the participants. Dietary habits were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to estimate participants' energy and nutrient intake. The participants visited Roya Labs at King Fahd Medical Research Center after 12 hours of fasting. Fasting blood samples were collected via venipuncture and placed into gel tubes (gold for lipid analysis) and sodium fluoride tubes (gray for glucose analysis). Blood samples for genetic analysis were collected from EDTA-containing samples. ### Files and variables #### File: TCF7L2\_study\_data.xlsx **Description:** This file includes age, gender, anthropometric, lifestyle and dietary data, biochemical analysis data andTCF7L2 SNP rs7903146 genotyping of study participants ##### Variables * sex * age (years) * smoking status * Physical activity * BMI (kg\m2) * waist circumference (cm) * hip circumference (cm) * systolic BP (mm Hg) * Diastolic BP (mm Hg) * Total cholesterol (mg\dl) * LDL(mg\dl) * HDL(mg\dl) * Triglycerides(mg\dl) * glucose(mg\dl) * insulin(IU/mL) * genotype * dietary intake (total calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, saturated fat, MUFA, and PUFA) all in calorie * Missing value indicated by N/A (not available) ## Code/software Excel software from Microsoft Office 365 ## Access information NA