Genetic determinants of obesity in adolescent girls

Abstract

Significant progress in understanding the genetic contribution in obesity and its prevalence at all ages has been achieved since existing methods of treatment and preventive measures aimed at combating obesity are not effective enough.Purpose. To study the prevalence of pathologic single nucleotide polymorphisms rs6265 of the brain neutrophic factor gene BDNF; rs1137101 of the leptin receptor gene LEPR; rs9939609 of the gene, associated with fat mass, FTO; rs4762 and rs699 of angiotensinogen AGT gene; rs1799883 of fatty acid transporter gene FABP2; rs1801282 of PPARG2 gene in obese adolescent girls.Material and methods. 72 teenage girls aged 12–17 years were examined. Group 1 consisted of 36 obese children (standard deviation coefficient SDS BMI ≥ 2.0), group 2 — 36 non-obese children (SDS BMI <1.0). Anthropometric, molecular genetic, and statistical methods were used.Results. In obese adolescent girls, an association was detected with only one gene — PPARG2, a polymorphic locus (Pro/Pro). The prevalence rate of the C allele in group 1 was 80%, in group 2 — 3% (p<0.05). No statistically significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles of other genes in children with obesity and normal body weight were established.Conclusion. Further large-scale studies, including biochemical and hormonal parameters, are needed to establish the influence of specific polymorphic loci of various genes contributing in obesity and metabolic processes.