Genetic association of APOA5 and APOE with metabolic syndrome and their interaction with health-related behavior in Korean men

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide association studies have been used extensively to identify genetic variants linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS), but most of them have been conducted in non-Asian populations. This study aimed to evaluate the association between MetS and previously studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and their interaction with health-related behavior in Korean men. METHODS: Seventeen SNPs were genotyped and their association with MetS and its components was tested in 1193 men who enrolled in the study at Seoul National University Hospital. RESULTS: We found that rs662799 near APOA5 and rs769450 in APOE had significant association with MetS and its components. The SNP rs662799 was associated with increased risk of MetS, elevated triglyceride (TG) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein, while rs769450 was associated with a decreased risk of TG. The SNPs showed interactions between alcohol drinking and physical activity, and TG levels in Korean men. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified the genetic association and environmental interaction for MetS in Korean men. These results suggest that a strategy of prevention and treatment should be tailored to personal genotype and the population. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12944-015-0111-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.