Interaction of Vitamin D Receptor Gene FokI Variants and Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Perceived Stress Score and Serum Cortisol Levels in Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Zahra Veysi; Azadeh  Dehghani; Mahnaz Sanjari; Zhila Maghbooli; Khadijeh Mirzaei

doi:10.18502/jnfs.v9i1.14844

Zahra Veysi Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Azadeh Dehghani Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Mahnaz Sanjari Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zhila Maghbooli Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Khadijeh Mirzaei Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jnfs.v9i1.14844

Keywords: Fatty acids, Omega-3; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Docosahexaenoic acids; Linoleic acid; Receptors calcitriol; Gene-environment interaction

Abstract

Background: There is a high prevalence of perceived stress among nurses. Recent studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids and genetic variants contribute to perceived stress. This study aimed to examine interactions between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene FokI polymorphism and omega-3 fatty acids on perceived stress score and serum cortisol levels in nurses. Methods: A total of 268 Iranian nurses (248 women; 20 men) participated in this cross-sectional study. Omega-3 fatty acids and perceived stress score of participants were evaluated using a 3-day food record and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10, respectively. Serum cortisol concentrations were evaluated by ELISA. VDR FokI polymorphism was genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: No significant relationship was found between omega-3 fatty acids with perceived stress score or cortisol level in FF genotype carriers, but lower intake of PUFA was related to higher cortisol level (P=0.04) in Ff carriers. Significant interactions were observed between VDR FOKI polymorphism and intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (P Interaction=0.06), linoleic acid (P Interaction=0.06), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (P Interaction=0.06) on serum cortisol, so that lower intake of EPA, linoleic acid, and DHA was associated with an increase in cortisol levels in individuals with ff genotype. Moreover, in carriers of ff genotype, lower intake of EPA was related to the elevated perceived stress score (P Interaction=0.06). Conclusion: FokI polymorphism interacts with omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, linoleic acid, and DHA) to increase cortisol level and with EPA to increase perceived stress score in nurses.