In cross-sectional studies, the genetic variant rs662799 of the APOA5 gene is associated with high serum triglyceride concentrations, and in some studies, the effect of short-term dietary interventions has been evaluated. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the role of this genetic variant in metabolic changes after the consumption of a low-calorie diet with a Mediterranean pattern for 9 months. A population of 269 Caucasian obese patients was recruited. Adiposity and biochemical parameters were measured at the beginning (basal level) and after 3 and 9 months of the dietary intervention. The rs662799 genotype was assessed with a dominant analysis (TT vs. CT + CC). The APOA5 variant distribution was: 88.1% (n = 237) (TT), 11.5% (n = 31) (TC) and 0.4% (n = 1) (CC). There were significant differences only in triglyceride levels at all times of the study between the genotype groups. After 3 and 9 months of dietary intervention, the following parameters improved in both genotype groups: adiposity parameters, systolic pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, leptin, adiponectin and the leptin/adiponectin ratio. The intervention significantly decreased insulin levels, HOMA-IR and triglyceride levels in non-C allele carriers (Delta 9 months TT vs. TC + CC). i.e., insulin levels (delta: -3.8 + 0.3 UI/L vs. -1.2 + 0.2 UI/L; p = 0.02), HOMA-IR levels (delta: -1.2 + 0.2 units vs. -0.3 + 0.1 units; p = 0.02), triglyceride levels (delta: -19.3 + 4.2 mg/dL vs. -4.2 + 3.0 mg/dL; p = 0.02). In conclusion, non-C allele carriers of rs662799 of the APOA5 gene showed a decrease of triglyceride, insulin and HOMA-IR levels after consuming a low-calorie diet with a Mediterranean pattern; we did not observe this effect in C allele carriers, despite a significant weight loss.
Keywords: ApoA5 gene; low-calorie diet; rs662799; triglycerides.