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CYP1A2 polymorphisms modify the association of habitual coffee consumption with appetite, macronutrient intake, and body mass index: results from an observational cohort and a cross-over randomized study

International Journal of Obesity volume 46, pages 162–168 (2022)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Evidence regarding the influence of coffee on appetite and weight control is equivocal and the influence of covariates, such as genetic variation in caffeine metabolism, remains unknown. Herein, we addressed the novel hypothesis that genetic variation in CYP1A2, a gene responsible for more than 95% of caffeine metabolism, differentially impacts the association of coffee consumption with appetite and BMI among individuals with different genetic predispositions to obesity.

Subjects/Methods

A cross-over randomized intervention study involving 18 volunteers assessed the effects of coffee consumption on dietary intake, appetite, and levels of the appetite-controlling hormones asprosin and leptin. Data on habitual coffee intake, BMI, and perceived appetite were obtained from an observational cohort of 284 volunteers using validated questionnaires. Participants were stratified according to a validated genetic risk score (GRS) for obesity and to the −163C > A (rs762551) polymorphism of CYP1A2 as rapid (AA), intermediate (AC), or slow (CC) caffeine metabolizers.

Results

Coffee consumption led to lower energy and dietary fat intake and circulating asprosin levels (P for interaction of rs762551 genotype*coffee consumption=0.056, 0.039, and 0.043, respectively) as compared to slow/intermediate metabolizers. High coffee consumption was more prevalent in rapid compared to slow metabolizers (P = 0.008 after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI) and was associated with lower appetite perception and lower BMI only in rapid metabolizers (P for interaction of rs762551 genotype*coffee consumption = 0.002 and 0.048, respectively). This differential association of rs762551 genotype and coffee consumption with BMI was more evident in individuals at higher genetic risk of obesity (mean adjusted difference in BMI = −5.82 kg/m2 for rapid versus slow/intermediate metabolizers who consumed more than 14 cups of coffee per week).

Conclusions

CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism modifies the association of habitual coffee consumption with BMI, in part by influencing appetite, energy intake and circulating levels of the orexigenic hormone asprosin. This association is more evident in subjects with high genetic predisposition to obesity. ClinicalTrials.gov: registered Clinical Trial NCT04514588.

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Fig. 1: Coffee reduces food and fat intake in rapid caffeine metabolizers.
Fig. 2: The CYP1A2 rs762551 genotype modifies the association of coffee consumption with perceived appetite.
Fig. 3: CYP1A2 rs762551 genotype impacts the association of coffee consumption with BMI.
Fig. 4: Graphical representation of the proposed interplay between genetic predisposition to obesity (Ob-GRS) and CYP1A2 rs762551 genotype in modulating the effects of coffee consumption on appetite and BMI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Kalliopi G. Gkouskou, Ioannis Vlastos, Evgenia Lazou & Aristides G. Eliopoulos

  2. Embiodiagnostics Biology Research Company, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Kalliopi G. Gkouskou

  3. School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, St Thomas Hospital, King’s College, London, UK

    Georgios Georgiopoulos

  4. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

    Dimitrios Chaniotis

  5. Biomedical Engineering Unit, First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Theodore G. Papaioannou

  6. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

    Christos S. Mantzoros

  7. Clinical Genomics and Pharmacogenomics Unit, 4th Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Despina Sanoudou

  8. Center for New Biotechnologies and Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Despina Sanoudou & Aristides G. Eliopoulos

  9. Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Despina Sanoudou & Aristides G. Eliopoulos

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All authors contributed to the analysis or interpretation of the data and drafting the manuscript, gave final approval to submit, and accept accountability for all aspects of the work. KG and AGE contributed to the conception of the work.

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Correspondence to Kalliopi G. Gkouskou or Aristides G. Eliopoulos.

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Gkouskou, K.G., Georgiopoulos, G., Vlastos, I. et al. CYP1A2 polymorphisms modify the association of habitual coffee consumption with appetite, macronutrient intake, and body mass index: results from an observational cohort and a cross-over randomized study. Int J Obes 46, 162–168 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-00972-6

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