Association Between a Glucokinase Regulator Genetic Variant and Metabolic Syndrome in Taiwanese Adolescents

Abstract

Variants of the glucokinase regulator (GCKR) gene are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The present study explored the association between a common variant of this gene and MetS and its related traits in Taiwanese adolescents. The frequency of MetS and its features were compared between subjects (n = 962; 468 male, 494 female) with different genotypes or alleles of the GCKR rs780094 single-nucleotide polymorphism. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to explore the interdependence of MetS and metabolic traits. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and MetS were more prevalent in subjects with the T compared to the C allele of rs780094 (p = 0.009 and 0.044, respectively). T-genotype carriers also exhibited a higher frequency of low HDL-C levels (p = 0.028) than noncarriers, although MetS frequency was similar between the two groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, the odds ratios for low HDL-C levels and MetS incidence in T-genotype carriers were 1.64 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.53) and 2.79 (95% CI: 1.09-7.11), respectively. The GCKR rs780094 polymorphism is associated with low HDL-C levels and MetS incidence in Taiwanese adolescents.