Genetic variation at the SLC23A1 locus is associated with circulating concentrations of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C): evidence from 5 independent studies with >15,000 participants

BACKGROUND: L-Ascorbic acid is an essential part of the human diet and has been associated with a wide range of chronic complex diseases, including cardiovascular outcomes. To date, there are no confirmed genetic correlates of circulating concentrations of L-ascorbic acid. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to confirm the existence of an association between common variation at the SLC23A1 gene locus and circulating concentrations of L-ascorbic acid. DESIGN: We used a 2-stage design, which included a discovery cohort (the British Women's Heart and Health Study), a series of follow-up cohorts, and meta-analysis (totaling 15,087 participants) to assess the relation between variation at SLC23A1 and circulating concentrations of L-ascorbic acid. RESULTS: In the discovery cohort, variation at rs33972313 was associated with a reduction in circulating concentrations of L-ascorbic acid (-4.15 μmol/L; 95% CI: -0.49, -7.81 μmol/L; P = 0.03 reduction per minor allele). Pooled analysis of the relation between rs33972313 and circulating L-ascorbic acid across all studies confirmed this and showed that each additional rare allele was associated with a reduction in circulating concentrations of L-ascorbic acid of -5.98 μmol/L (95% CI: -8.23, -3.73 μmol/L; P = 2.0 x 10⁻⁷ per minor allele). CONCLUSIONS: A genetic variant (rs33972313) in the SLC23A1 vitamin C active transporter locus was identified that is reliably associated with circulating concentrations of L-ascorbic acid in the general population. This finding has implications more generally for the epidemiologic investigation of relations between circulating L-ascorbic acid and health outcomes.