Abstract
Background and Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the link between common -2548G>A (rs7799039) promoter variant of the human leptin gene (LEP) with leptin and serum glucose leptin levels in obese Saudi patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 206 Saudi adults (80 obese normotensive nondiabetics, 76 obese hypertensive with Type 2 Diabetes and 50 normotensive nondiabetic controls) were genotyped for -2548G>A LEP polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism technique. Results: Participants with minor AA genotype had significantly higher blood glucose levels (6.8 ± 0.55 mmol/L vs. 5.8 ± 0.30 mmol/L; p < 0.04) and HOMA-IR (4.1 ± 0.84 vs. 2.6 ± 0.67; p = 0.03) against those carrying major GG genotype. Participants with heterozygous GA genotype had significantly higher serum leptin levels against those carrying major GG genotype (40.0 ± 2.6 ng/mL vs. 29.6 ± 2.6 ng/mL; p = 0.04). Further investigation showed that individuals with AA, GA, GA + AA genotypes are at greater risk of developing hyperglycemia compared to those with GG genotype [OR 3.7(1.6–8.4), p = 0.001; 3.2 (1.2–8.6), p = 0.03; 3.5 (1.6–7.7), p = 0.001, respectively]. Additionally, the -2548AA allele was shown to be a risk factor for hyperglycemia [OR 1.9 (1.2–3.0), p = 0.006]. Our data revealed no relationship between this variant of the LEP gene with systolic and diastolic BP, signifying that this genetic variant is not a significant marker of obesity and hypertension in the Saudi population. Conclusions: AA and GA genotypes and LEP gene -2548AA alleles may signify potent risk factors predisposing healthy individuals to develop T2DM regardless of blood-pressure profile.
Highlights
Obesity is associated with diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease and hypertension, and is one of the most serious health problems of the last century [1,2]
The present study showed no association between this variant of the leptin gene (LEP) gene with body mass index (BMI), WHR, SAD, systolic and diastolic BP, indicating that this genetic variant is not a significant marker of hypertension and obesity in the Saudi population
Our study found that the AA genotype of -2548G>A LEP polymorphism was significantly associated with elevated blood glucose levels and HOMA-IR
Summary
Obesity is associated with diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease and hypertension, and is one of the most serious health problems of the last century [1,2]. We aimed to investigate the link between common -2548G>A (rs7799039) promoter variant of the human leptin gene (LEP) with leptin and serum glucose leptin levels in obese Saudi patients. Results: Participants with minor AA genotype had significantly higher blood glucose levels (6.8 ± 0.55 mmol/L vs 5.8 ± 0.30 mmol/L; p < 0.04) and HOMA-IR (4.1 ± 0.84 vs 2.6 ± 0.67; p = 0.03) against those carrying major GG genotype. Participants with heterozygous GA genotype had significantly higher serum leptin levels against those carrying major GG genotype (40.0 ± 2.6 ng/mL vs 29.6 ± 2.6 ng/mL; p = 0.04). Conclusions: AA and GA genotypes and LEP gene -2548AA alleles may signify potent risk factors predisposing healthy individuals to develop T2DM regardless of blood-pressure profile
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