Genome-wide association study and Mendelian randomization analysis focusing on sweet taste and sugar intake

• Project/Area Number: 18K10095
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58030:Hygiene and public health-related: excluding laboratory approach
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University (2020-2021); National Cancer Center Japan (2018-2019)
• Principal Investigator: Goto Atsushi 横浜市立大学, 大学院データサイエンス研究科, 教授 (80644822)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2021)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥390,000 (Direct Cost: ¥300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥90,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥3,120,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥720,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
• Keywords: 糖質摂取量 / 糖尿病 / ゲノムワイド関連解析 / 甘味嗜好 / 単純糖質摂取量 / GWAS

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The nutritional implications of carbohydrates differ by simple and complex carbohydrates, and excessive intake of simple and complex carbohydrates is thought to lead to an increased risk of diabetes and other diseases.
In this study, we planned to find genetic factors for simple carbohydrate intake and sweet taste preferences by a genome-wide association study, but statistically significant genetic factors were not identified in the Japanese data. Therefore, we conducted a cohort study on simple sugars and starch intake in relation to the risk of type 2 diabetes without using genetic information. The results showed that in women, higher starch intake was associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, and extremely high simple carbohydrate intake (>30% energy per day) was associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

炭水化物摂取量の違いにより、糖尿病などの慢性疾患の罹患リスクが異なると考えられているが、日本人を含むアジア人ではこの関係は検討されていなかった。本研究では、日本人女性において、でん粉の摂取量が多いと糖尿病の罹患リスク増加と関連し、単純糖質(合計単純糖質や合計果糖)の摂取が極端に多いことも、糖尿病の罹患リスク増加と関連する可能性を明らかにした。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Association between sugar and starch intakes and type 2 diabetes risk in middle-aged adults in a prospective cohort study (2022)
  • Author(s): Kanehara R, Goto A, Sawada N, Mizoue T, Noda M, Hida A, Iwasaki M, Tsugane S
  • Journal Title: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Volume: 76 Issue: 5 Pages: 746-755
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41430-021-01005-1
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Body mass index and colorectal cancer risk: A Mendelian randomization study (2021)
  • Author(s): Suzuki Shiori, Goto Atsushi, Nakatochi Masahiro, et al.
  • Journal Title: Cancer Science Volume: 112 Issue: 4 Pages: 1579-1588
  • DOI: 10.1111/cas.14824
  • NAID: 120007147665
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Validity and Reproducibility of a Self-Administered Food Frequency Questionnaire for the Assessment of Sugar Intake in Middle-Aged Japanese Adults (2019)
  • Author(s): Kanehara R, Goto A, Kotemori A, Mori N, Nakamura A, Sawada N, Ishihara J, Takachi R, Kawano Y, Iwasaki M, Tsugane S
  • Journal Title: Nutrients Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Pages: 554-554
  • DOI: 10.3390/nu11030554
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Presentation] メンデルランダム化は疫学の発展に貢献できるか． (2021)
  • Author(s): 後藤 温
  • Organizer: 第31回日本疫学会学術総会
  • Invited
• [Presentation] Estimation of Sugar Intake and Validation Study for a SelfAdministered Food Frequency Questionnaire Using Urinary Sugar in Middle-Aged Japanese Adults (2019)
  • Author(s): Rieko Kanehara, Atsushi Goto, Ayaka Kotemori, Nagisa Mori, Ari Nakamura, Norie Sawada, Junko Ishihara, Ribeka Takachi, Yukari Kawano, Motoki Iwasaki, Shoichiro Tsugane
  • Organizer: Nutrients 2019 Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research