Genetic Variations in Thiamin Transferase SLC35F3 and the Risk of Hypertension in Koreans

Hypertension is a major health issues globally. Multiple genetic and environmental factors are involved in hypertension etiology. Solute carrier family 35 member F3 (SLC35F3) is a type of transporter uptakes thiamin across the cellular and mitochondrial membrane. Recent studies suggested that variations in SLC35F3 are associated with the risk of hypertension; however, studies are limited in Koreans. This study examined the association of the genetic variations in SLC35F3 and the risk of hypertension in Koreans using the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study (Ansan/Ansung study). A total of 8,298 Koreans (males 3,983, females 4,315) were analyzed for their general characteristics, dietary intake, and blood pressure. Twenty-four tagging variations in SLC35F3 were selected and investigated for their association with the risk of hypertension using a sex-stratified approach. Findings suggested that, in males, rs12135117 A allele carriers were at the lower risk for hypertension (adjusted odds ratio, 0.859; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.740–0.998). In females, rs10910387 TC genotype tended to increase the risk 1.172-fold for hypertension (95% CI, 1.002–1.370). Multiple linear regression models exhibited that rs12135117 A allele was negatively associated with blood pressure in males, and rs10910387 TC genotype had a positive association with blood pressure in females. However, statistical significance for these genetically modified effects was in lacked (Bonferroni's corrected p > 0.002). In conclusion, genetic variation in SLC35F3 is not a decisive prediction marker for hypertension risk in Koreans. Given the rarity of data, more studies are required to evaluate the role of SLC35F3 and thiamin in the hypertension etiology.