Interaction of Vitamin E Intake and Pro12Ala Polymorphism of PPARG with Adiponectin Levels.

Background/aim: One of the beneficial effects associated with vitamin E intake is the enhancement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activity and the consequent upregulation of adiponectin expression. The aim of this study was to analyze the adiponectin levels in subjects with the Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPARG according to vitamin E intake.

Methods: A total of 283 subjects were enrolled. Total vitamin E intake was estimated based on a validated 3-day food consumption record and analyzed using Nutritionist ProTM software. The Pro12Ala polymorphism (rs1801282) was determined by allelic discrimination. The adiponectin levels were measured by an ELISA assay.

Results: Vitamin E intake was deficient in all subjects (1.50 ± 1.78 mg/day). Subjects with higher vitamin E intake levels and the Pro12Ala/Ala12Ala genotype had statistically significant higher levels of serum adiponectin than subjects with the Pro12Pro genotype (4.4 [3.2-5.7] vs. 2.7 [2.0-3.5] μg/mL; p = 0.024).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that increased consumption of vitamin E should be encouraged since it has been reported that vitamin E promotes adiponectin expression via PPARγ activation. Subjects with Pro12Pro genotype had lower serum adiponectin levels than subjects with Pro12Ala/Ala12Ala genotype; therefore, they might be at higher risk of developing metabolic complications.