Human genetic variants near the FADS (fatty acid desaturase) gene cluster (<i>FADS1-2</i>-<i>3</i>) are strongly associated with cardiometabolic traits including dyslipidemia, fatty liver, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease.
The FADS1rs174547 CC variant was also associated with significantly increased CHD risk compared with the TT and TC variant (adjusted OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.01-2.31), and the effect was more evident among nonsmokers and females.
Fatty acid profile in plasma cholesteryl esters and FADS1 genotype at baseline were measured in a random subcohort (n = 1323) and incident CHD cases (n = 537).
Delta-5 and delta-6 desaturases, FADS1 and FADS2, respectively, influence the serum, plasma and membrane phospholipid levels of LA, ALA and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy, lactation, and may influence an infant's IQ, atopy and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.