Metabolic and Cardiovascular Impact of CD36 Deficiency in African Americans

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Impact of CD36 Deficiency in African Americans

CD36, a protein that facilitates tissue uptake of fat, as a common link between blood fat concentrations and metabolic disease states such as diabetes mellitus. Genetic variants in the CD36 gene are more common in African Americans compared to Whites and it may confer protection against metabolic diseases by altering the amount of fat in the blood.

The purpose of this study is to compare the levels of fat in the blood and to assess endothelial dysfunction among carriers versus non-carriers of the coding SNP, rs3211938 of the CD36 gene after a high fat meal challenge

Inclusion Criteria:

• African American men and women age 18-65 years of age
• BMI 25-45 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Use of nicotinic acid for dyslipidemia
• History of nutrient malabsorption
• Clinically significant hepatic or renal disease, OR serum creatinine or liver function tests > 2times upper limits of normal
• Symptomatic acute or chronic gallbladder disease
• Any underlying or acute disease requiring regular medication which could in the principal investigator's opinion possibly pose a threat to the subject or make implementation of the protocol difficult
• Mental conditions rendering the subject unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study
• Patient unwilling or unable to give informed consent