Background: The transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene is the most significant genetic risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Association analyses were performed on participants (n = 751, aged between 30 and 64) in the ISOR population-based study in the city of Oran. Dietary intakes were estimated using a weekly food frequency questionnaire.
Results: The T allele of the rs7903146 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was associated with lower body weight (p = 0.02), lower BMI (p = 0.009), lower waist circumference (p = 0.01) and a lower waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.02). The T allele was associated with a significantly higher risk of T2D (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) = 1.55 (1.09-2.20), p = 0.01) and this association was independent of BMI. When considering the T2D risk, there were nominal interactions between the rs7903146 SNP and dessert (p = 0.05) and milk intakes (p = 0.01). The T2D risk was greater in T allele carriers with high dessert and milk intakes (OR = 2.61 (1.51-4.52), p = 0.0006, and 2.46 (1.47-4.12), p = 0.0006, respectively). In subjects with a high dessert intake, the T allele was also associated with higher fasting plasma glucose concentrations (4.89 ± 0.46 mmol/L in TT subjects, 4.72 ± 0.48 mmol/L in CT subjects and 4.78 ± 0.51 mmol/L in CC subjects; p = 0.03).
Conclusions: The T allele of the rs7903146 SNP is associated with a significantly higher risk of T2D in an Algerian population. This association was further strengthened by a high dessert intake, suggesting that gene-diet interactions increase the T2D risk.