Scientific Reports· 2026Q1
Sex differences in the associations of body composition and PPARGC1A genetic variants with elevated pulse pressure
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Fat-free mass index (FFMI) is linked to elevated pulse pressure (PP) in both sexes, but adiposity indices like visceral fat area are significant only in females, according to a study of 5,829 adults. Three PPARGC1A gene variants also independently contribute to elevated PP.
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Key points
- Fat-free mass index (FFMI) is associated with elevated pulse pressure (PP) in both males (β = 0.07) and females (β = 0.20).
- Adiposity indices like visceral fat (VFATL), body fat rate (BFR), and fat mass index (FMI) were significantly associated with PP only in females.
- Three PPARGC1A gene variants (rs4141480, rs57677171, rs7680511) were significantly associated with elevated PP after multiple testing correction.
- A weighted genetic score (WGS) derived from these PPARGC1A variants independently predicted elevated PP.
- SHAP analysis identified age as the dominant factor, followed by FFMI in females and WGS in both sexes, in predicting elevated PP.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Pulse pressure (PP) is a hemodynamic marker for vascular aging. We investigated the sex-specific associations of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived body composition indices and PPARGC1A/VDR variants with elevated PP risk. This community-based study analyzed 5,829 adults (20–90 years) from the Taiwan Biobank. Elevated PP was defined as > = 65 mmHg. Sex-stratified multiple linear regression was used to examine body composition indices. Candidate variants were screened by logistic regression and clumping, followed by the construction of a weighted genetic score (WGS). Machine-learning models and SHAP analysis were applied to evaluate the relative contributions of body composition, biochemical traits, and genetic susceptibility to elevated PP. FFMI was the only body composition index that remained significantly associated with PP in both females (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) and males (β = 0.07, p < 0.05) after multivariable adjustment. Adiposity-related indices (VFATL, BFR, FMI) were significant only in females. Among 946 SNPs examined across the PPARGC1A and VDR regions, three PPARGC1A variants (rs4141480, rs57677171, and rs7680511) remained significant after multiple-testing correction. A WGS derived from these variants was independently associated with elevated PP. SHAP analysis confirmed age as the dominant contributor, while FFMI ranked highly in females and WGS contributed in both sexes. BIA-derived indices are associated with PP in a sex-specific manner, with FFMI being the most consistent marker. PPARGC1A-related genetic susceptibility independently contributes to elevated PP beyond conventional factors. Integrating body composition and genetics enhances the assessment of cardiometabolic vulnerability related to vascular aging.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Scientific Reports, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Cardiology and Cardiovascular MedicineMedicine