Identification of genetic factors influencing intestinal iron absorption and their correlation with iron status and physical performance.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K21216
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Juntendo University
• Principal Investigator: Takaragawa Mizuki 順天堂大学, 大学院スポーツ健康科学研究科, 博士研究員 (70967033)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ヘプシジン / 遺伝子多型 / 鉄吸収能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to investigate the association of genetic factors affecting iron absorption with iron status in the body and endurance performance. First, the relationship between genotype scores involving hepcidin and iron status was examined. The data indicated that male athletes with genotype scores presumed to have higher hepcidin concentrations exhibited higher iron status, and vice versa. Subsequently, the relationship between genotype scores and iron absorption capacity was examined in the general adult population. Individuals with lower iron absorption capacity indicated higher genotype scores, although this was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the association between genotype scores and athletic performance in Japanese long-distance athletes was investigated. There was no significant association between them.

Free Research Field

スポーツ遺伝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

競技種目や競技レベル、コンディションなどによって、アスリートに必要なエネルギー量や栄養素が異なることは周知の事実であるが、未だに個別化栄養が進んでいるとはいえない。本研究は、鉄の摂取量に関わらず、ヘプシジン産生や機能に関与する包括的な遺伝型スコアの個人差が鉄状態に影響することを明らかにした。つまり、遺伝的体質を考慮することで、個々の栄養状態の最適化やより良いコンディショニングの管理ができる可能性を示した。また、個別化栄養のメリットは、個人に最適な栄養素量を提示できることであり、本研究の成果はアスリートだけでなく、一般人の健康維持・増進や疾患予防につながることが期待される。