A Pilot Study Investigating the Influence of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Gastric Emptying Rate in Caucasian Men

• Published in: Frontiers in physiology Vol. 9; p. 1331
• Main Authors: Yau, Adora M. W., McLaughlin, John, Maughan, Ronald J., Gilmore, William, Ashworth, Jason J., Evans, Gethin H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 25.09.2018
• Subjects: gastric emptying rate; gastrointestinal motility; GLP-1; GLP-1 receptor; Physiology; single nucleotide polymorphisms; gastrointestinal motility; gastric emptying rate; GLP-1; single nucleotide polymorphisms; GLP-1 receptor
• ISSN: 1664-042X; 1664-042X
• DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01331

Gastric emptying rate in humans is subject to large individual variability, but previous research on the influence of genetics is scarce. Variation in the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) gene is a plausible candidate gene to partially explain the high variance. This study aimed to investigate the influence of genetic variation in the GLP1R gene on gastric emptying rate of a glucose solution in humans. Forty eight healthy Caucasian males took part in this investigation. Gastric emptying rate of a 6% glucose solution was assessed using the 13C breath test method and a venous blood sample was obtained from each participant. Participants were genotyped for 27 Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GLP1R locus using Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX GOLD analysis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The time at which maximal emptying rate occurred (T ) was faster in participants with the CC genotype than in TT and TC genotypes for SNP rs742764: [median (quartiles) CC, 35 (30-36) min vs. TT, 43 (39-46) min, and TC, 41 (39-45) min; < 0.01]. T was also slower in participants with the AA genotype compared to the TT and TA genotypes for SNP rs2254336: [AA, 43 (39-49) min vs. TT, 36 (34-41) min, and TA, 39 (35-42) min; < 0.05]. Analysis by phenotype also showed differences in half-emptying time (T ) and T for SNPs rs9283907, rs2268657, and rs2254336. Several neighboring Tag SNPs within the GLP1R gene were found to be associated with gastric emptying rate, and should be further investigated.