Abstract
Higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the causality of this relationship and the biological mechanisms that underlie it are unclear. Here, we examine genetic determinants of cardiorespiratory fitness in 450k European-ancestry individuals in UK Biobank, by leveraging the genetic overlap between fitness measured by an exercise test and resting heart rate. We identified 160 fitness-associated loci which we validated in an independent cohort, the Fenland study. Gene-based analyses prioritised candidate genes, such as CACNA1C, SCN10A, MYH11 and MYH6, that are enriched in biological processes related to cardiac muscle development and muscle contractility. In a Mendelian Randomisation framework, we demonstrate that higher genetically predicted fitness is causally associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes independent of adiposity. Integration with proteomic data identified N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, hepatocyte growth factor-like protein and sex hormone-binding globulin as potential mediators of this relationship. Collectively, our findings provide insights into the biological mechanisms underpinning cardiorespiratory fitness and highlight the importance of improving fitness for diabetes prevention.
9 Authors
- Lina Cai
- Tomas Gonzales
- Eleanor Wheeler
- Nicola D. Kerrison
- Felix R. Day
- Claudia Langenberg
- John R. B. Perry
- Soren Brage
- Nicholas J. Wareham
3 Applications
Application ID | Title |
408 | Derivation of fitness indicators and their relation with hemodynamic factors |
12871 | Genetic determinants of cardiorespiratory fitness in the UK Biobank |
44448 | The genetic and environmental determinants of cardiometabolic and related disorders. |