Purpose: Currently, new loci related to handgrip strength have been identified in genome-wide association studies. However, this topic is an understudied area in the Chinese population.
Materials and methods: A total of 135 dizygotic twin pairs recruited from the Qingdao Twin Registry system were included in the present study. Using GEMMA, VEAGSE2, and PASCAL software for SNP-based analysis, gene-based analysis, and pathway-based analysis, respectively. The resulting SNPs were subjected to eQTL analysis.
Results: Although none of the loci reach the statistically significant level (p < 5 × 10-8), we found 19 SNPs exceeding the suggestive significant level (p < 1 × 10-5). After imputation, 162 SNPs reached suggestive evidence level for handgrip strength. A total of 1,118 genes reached the nominal significance level (p < 0.05) in gene-based analysis. A total of 626 potential biological pathways were associated with handgrip strength (p < 0.05). The results of eQTL analysis were mainly enriched in tissues such as the muscle-skeletal, brain, visceral fat, and brain-cortical.
Conclusions: Genetic variants may involve in regulatory domains, functional genes, and biological pathways that mediate handgrip strength.
Keywords: GWAS; Handgrip strength; genetics; sarcopenia; twin study.