Grant: Operating Grant

The effect of dietary changes on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile differs significantly between individuals. Accordingly, we have shown that genetic variations in a gene encoding a nuclear factor that regulates many genes involved in lipid metabolism (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-alpha) interacts with fatty acids contained in the diet to modulate the CVD risk profile. However, PPAR-alpha is not the sole gene acting as a FA sensor to modulate CVD risk factors, but the approach developed with this gene is applicable to other genes. Indeed, several other nuclear factors are also thought to play a role as fatty acid sensors. In that context, we propose to investigate gene-diet interactions between genes acting as fatty acid sensors and dietary fat on CVD risk factors by focusing on PUFAs, in particular of the n-3 family of marine origin. To do so, 200 individuals (100 men and 100 women) will be subjected to a six-week supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids. At the end of the supplementation period, their CVD risk profile and gene expression levels will be compared in the presence and in the absence of omega-3 fatty acids. We will also verify whether genetic variations within genes encoding fatty acid sensors influence the CVD risk profile response to such a upplementation. Nutrition researchers recognized the potential offered by genomic tools to help understand the complex relation between the health of the individual, its genome, and the dietary exposure together with the potential to implement CVD prevention through better nutrition.