The SNP rs516946 Interacted in the Association of MetS with Dietary Iron among Chinese Males but Not Females

This study aimed to explore the role of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs516946 of the Ankyrin 1 (ANK1) gene in the relationship between dietary iron and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Chinese population. A total of 2766 Chinese adults (1284 males and 1482 females) were recruited. A 3-day 24-h dietary recall and weighing of household condiments were used to assess dietary intake. Anthropometric and laboratory measurements were obtained. After adjusting for age, region, years of education, intentional physical exercise, physical activity level, smoking, alcohol use and energy intake, dietary iron and the SNP rs516946 were both correlated with MetS risk and interacted among the male participants. The trend between dietary iron and MetS risk remained among T allele non-carriers of males but not among T allele carriers of males. Both the SNP rs516946 and the ferritin level correlated positively with the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level. ANK1 SNP rs516946 interacted in the association of MetS with dietary iron among Chinese males while no association was found among females. Periodic blood loss might prevent females from these associations. The SNP rs516946 might correlate with liver function.