Combination of polymorphisms in leptin and leptin receptor gene associated with obesity

Abstract

Objective To investigate the association of polymorphisms in leptin and leptin recptor(LepR)gene with obesity. Methods The genotypes of polymorphisms in ob and LepR gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP)assay in 232 unrelated subjects of Chinese population(including 130 subjects with simple obesity and 102 normal controls). Results No significant differences of genotype frequency of polymorphisms in ob and LepR gene were observed between obese and non-obese group. Logistic regression analysis showed that Lys109Arg variant was associated with systolic blood pressure(P = 0. 031)and hip circumference(P =0. 025)in male obese subjects ; Lys656Asn variant in LepR gene was associated with serum triglyceride level(P = 0. 026); and polymorphism in ob gene 3' flanking region was associated with waist/hip ratio(P=0. 042). Obese individuals found to simultaneously exhibit the three polymorphisms exhibited significantly elevated BMI(31. 42 0. 85 vs. 29. 91 1.19, P = 0.037). Conclusion Combination of polymorphism in ob gene 3' flanking region and Lys109Arg、Lys656Asn variants in LepR gene associated with obesity. Key words: Obesity; Leptin; Receptor; Genes