Recent evidence reveals that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) is correlated with alteration in blood fatty acid profile in some ethnic groups. We aimed to examine effects of FADS2 (intronic SNP, rs174589 ) on delta6 and delta5 desaturase activities based on ratios of 18:3n-6/18:2n-6 and 20:4n-6/20:3n-6 respectively. In 2008, we cross-sectionally analyzed erythrocyte fatty acids in type 2 diabetic patients (n=702) recruited from the Diabetes Management through Integrated Delivery System (DMIDS) cohort established in Taiwan. Frequencies of rs174589 genotypes GG, GC and CC were 0.739, 0.234 and 0.027 respectively. Levels of hemoglobin A1c in CC genotypes were significantly different from those of GC and GG genotypes. delta6 desaturase activity (18:3n-6/18:2n-6) was significantly reduced in GC (0.005±0.003, p=0.003) and CC (0.004±0.003, p=0.025) than GG genotypes (0.006±0.003). Similarly, delta5 desaturase activity (20:4n-6/20:3n-6) was significantly diminished in C allele carriers than the GG homozygotes (p<0.05). In conclusion, rs174589 in FADS2 is associated with delat6 and delta5 desaturase activities in type 2 diabetes patients and impact of these alterations in fatty acids profiles on clinical parameters warrants further investigation.
