The interaction between the dietary phytochemical index and CD36 rs1761667 polymorphism on the risk factors related to metabolic syndrome

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the interaction between CD36 rs1761667 and dietary phytochemical index (DPI) on the risk factors related to MetS among apparently healthy adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 387 apparently healthy adults (20–70 years) of the recruitment phase of Yazd Health Study (YaHS). DPI was calculated using data from a validated, and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Genotyping of rs1761667 was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. All participants were categorized into two categories, based on DPI scores. The interactions were tested using logistic regression in adjusted and unadjusted models. Results: There was no significant association between CD36 gene polymorphism rs1761667 and metabolic syndrome components as well as DPI score was not associated with the components of MetS. Significant interactions were observed between DPI and rs1761667 polymorphism on the odds of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.05) and odds of abdominal obesity (P = 0.01), so that, higher adherence to this index was associated with a low risk of MetS and abdominal obesity in individuals with AG genotype. In contrast, increased adherence to the DPI was associated with higher odds of abdominal obesity among the AA genotype. Conclusion: The AG genotype appears to be a protective factor against the risk of MetS and abdominal obesity with greater adherence to DPI. However, additional research is needed to elucidate these interactions and the mechanisms behind these associations.