Interaction Between Dietary Fiber Intake and MTNR1B rs10830963 Polymorphism on Glycemic Profiles in Young Brazilian Adults

Abstract

Background/objective: The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs10830963 in the melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B) gene influences insulin secretion and glucose metabolism and has been associated with an increased risk of type-2 diabetes. This study aimed to explore the interaction between dietary intake and the MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism on glycemic profiles in young Brazilian adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 200 healthy young adults (19-24 years), evaluating the MTNR1B rs10830963 genotype, anthropometric parameters, glycemic markers (fasting insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β), and dietary intake via three 24 h dietary recalls. Genotype-diet interactions were tested using multivariate linear regression models adjusted for confounders.

Results: The carriers of the G allele exhibited a positive association with fasting insulin levels (p = 0.003), insulin/glucose ratio (p = 0.004), HOMA-IR (p = 0.003), and HOMA-β (p = 0.018). Energy-adjusted fiber intake showed a significant genotype-specific interaction only in carriers of the G allele, where higher dietary fiber intake was significantly associated with lower fasting insulin (p_interaction = 0.034) and HOMA-IR (p_interaction = 0.028).

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the MTNR1B rs10830963 polymorphism is associated with glycemic markers, and dietary fiber intake may attenuate the adverse effects of the MTNR1B rs10830963 G allele on glycemic profiles in young Brazilian adults. This highlights the potential role of fiber in improving health outcomes for individuals carrying this risk allele. To validate these results and assess the broader implications for the Brazilian population, further intervention studies and larger-scale research are essential.

Keywords: fiber; food intake; glycemia; nutrigenetics; precision nutrition.

Figure 1

Interaction between the MTNR1B rs10830963 genotype and dietary fiber intake on glycemic markers. (A) Interaction effect on fasting insulin; (B) interaction effect on the HOMA-IR index; (C) interaction effect on the fasting insulin/glucose ratio. Individuals are stratified by genotype: CC genotype (no risk allele) vs. CG + GG genotypes (at least one risk allele). Fiber intake (x-axis) is presented as residuals after adjusting for total energy intake, resulting in negative values when intake is below the group mean. Glycemic outcomes (y-axis) are adjusted for mean age, body mass index (BMI), and carbohydrate intake. Regression lines indicate adjusted relationships within each genotype subgroup. HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.

Figure 1

Interaction between the MTNR1B rs10830963 genotype and dietary fiber intake on glycemic markers. (A) Interaction effect on fasting insulin; (B) interaction effect on the HOMA-IR index; (C) interaction effect on the fasting insulin/glucose ratio. Individuals are stratified by genotype: CC genotype (no risk allele) vs. CG + GG genotypes (at least one risk allele). Fiber intake (x-axis) is presented as residuals after adjusting for total energy intake, resulting in negative values when intake is below the group mean. Glycemic outcomes (y-axis) are adjusted for mean age, body mass index (BMI), and carbohydrate intake. Regression lines indicate adjusted relationships within each genotype subgroup. HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.