Interaction between lifestyle behaviors and genetic polymorphism in SCAP gene on blood pressure among Chinese children

BACKGROUNDS: Previous studies had revealed that sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) rs12487736 polymorphism was associated with blood pressure (BP), but whether rs12487736 could interact with lifestyle behaviors on BP is unknown. METHODS: A case-control study with 1092 Chinese children was conducted. RESULTS: We found an interaction between rs12487736 and high calorie foods intake (fried chips/cakes/cookies) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P-interaction = 0.027), and rs12487736 was associated with SBP in the subgroup having high calorie foods at least once in the last week (b = 2.19, P = 0.025), but not in the subgroup not having high calorie foods. Also, interaction between protein intake (meat/fish/soy beans/egg) and rs12487736 on diastolic BP (DBP) was identified (P-interaction = 0.049); rs12487736 was associated with DBP in the subgroup consuming protein (meat/fish/soy beans/egg) twice/day (b = 338, P = 0.014), but not in the subgroup >= twice/day. There is combined effect between rs12487736 and physical activity on DBP. In the subgroup who were inactive (physical activity <1 h/day), rs12487736 was significantly associated with DBP (b = 3.27, P = 0.046), but not in the active group (physical activity >= 1 h/day). Similar combined effect between rs12487736 and soft drink was found. CONCLUSIONS: Interactions or combined effects between SCAP and lifestyle behaviors on BP support the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle in the children genetically predisposed to higher BP.