Adult-type hypolactasia is not a predisposing factor for the early functional and structural changes of atherosclerosis: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

Individuals suffering from ATH (adult-type hypolactasia), defined by the LCT (gene encoding lactase-phlorizin hydrolase) C/C(-13910) genotype (rs4988235), use less milk and dairy products and may have higher plasma HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and lower triacylglycerol (triglyceride) concentrations than their counterparts without ATH. To investigate the effects of ATH status on the early markers of atherosclerosis, we examined its association with CIMT (carotid intima-media thickness), CAC (carotid artery compliance) and brachial artery FMD (flow-mediated dilation) in a young population-based cohort of otherwise healthy individuals. As part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, we performed CIMT, CAC and FMD analyses, LCT C/T(-13910) genotyping and risk factor determination in 2109 young subjects 24-39 years of age (45% males) at the time of the examination. The consumption of both milk and dairy products was lowest and the consumption of alcohol highest in subjects with the C/C(-13910) genotype (P<0.001 for all) in comparison with subjects without ATH (TT+CT). In multivariate analysis, no significant association between ATH status and CIMT, CAC or brachial artery FMD was found after adjustment for the use of alcohol, dairy products and all other major risk factors of coronary artery disease. In otherwise similar statistical analysis, the results remained non-significant when females and males were analysed in their own groups. In conclusion, the finding does not support the involvement of ATH in the pathogenesis of early atherosclerosis.

The effects of adult-type hypolactasia on body height growth and dietary calcium intake from childhood into young adulthood: a 21-year follow-up study--the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of adult-type hypolactasia, caused by the lactase-phlorizin hydrolase C/C-13910 genotype, on growth is unknown. We studied whether this polymorphism was associated with body height growth, the use of milk products, or dietary calcium intake. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed among 3596 randomly selected Finnish children and adolescents (3-18 years of age) in 1980, with reexamination in 1983, 1986, and 2001 (after a 21-year follow-up period). Lactase-phlorizin hydrolase C/T-13910 polymorphism was determined for 2265 participants in 2002. Nutrient intakes were measured for 1137, 858, and 1031 subjects in 1980, 1986, and 2001, respectively. RESULTS: The lactase-phlorizin hydrolase C/T-13910 polymorphism was not related to mean height growth speed for either boys or girls or to final mean body height in adulthood. The consumption of milk products, protein, and calcium was lowest for female subjects with the lactase-phlorizin hydrolase C/C-13910 genotype over the study years, but there were no genotype-related differences in the intake of vitamin D. For boys, significant differences were found in the consumption of milk products but not in the mean dietary intake of calcium, protein, or vitamin D. CONCLUSIONS: The lactase-phlorizin hydrolase C/C-13910 genotype was not associated with mean growth speed or final mean body height for either boys or girls. However, it contributed significantly to milk product consumption and dietary calcium intake from childhood into young adulthood.