Seasonal effects of the UCP3 and the RPTOR gene polymorphisms on obesity traits in Japanese adults.

Kazuhiro Nakayama,Sadahiko Iwamoto,Hiroshi Miyashita

doi:10.1186/1880-6805-33-38

Kazuhiro Nakayama, Sadahiko Iwamoto + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1880-6805-33-38

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Abstract

BackgroundNon-shivering thermogenesis (NST) involves a substantial amount of energy expenditure in humans and, thus, contributes to reducing the risk for obesity. Molecular evolutionary studies have reported that SNPs in/near the uncoupling protein 3 gene (UCP3) and the regulatory associated protein of mTOR complex 1 gene (RPTOR) might influence NST and confer adaptive advantages for modern human dispersal into cold environments. In the present study, the impact of these SNPs on obesity-related traits was investigated.MethodsStudy subjects consisted of 2,834 Japanese adults (percentage of female: 46%, mean age: 51.5). Associations of the UCP3-55C/T and the RPTOR-26934C/T - the 2 potential genetic variations involved in cold adaptation and thermogenic mechanisms in mammals, with quantitative obesity-related traits including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, visceral fat area (VFA), VFA adjusted for BMI, and selected blood parameters - were tested using multiple linear regression models. Sliding windowsampling analysis was applied to depict seasonal effects of the SNPs on the obesity-related phenotypes.ResultsUCP3-55C/T and the RPTOR-26934C/T did not show any association with obesity traits and blood chemical parameters in multiple linear regression models consisting of the whole subjects. Moreover, sliding window sampling-based association analyses involving seasonality also failed to find associations between these two SNPs and obesity-related traits.ConclusionsUCP3-55C/T and the RPTOR-26934C/T may only have subtle effects on the development of obesity-related traits in the present humans. These two SNPs might be irrelevant to inter-individual variations in energy metabolism and efficiency of NST.

Highlights

Non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) involves a substantial amount of energy expenditure in humans and, contributes to reducing the risk for obesity
Associations of the uncoupling protein 3 gene (UCP3)-55C/T and the RPTOR-26934C/T - the 2 potential genetic variations involved in cold adaptation and thermogenic mechanisms in mammals, with quantitative obesity-related traits including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, visceral fat area (VFA), VFA adjusted for BMI, and selected blood parameters - were tested using multiple linear regression models
UCP3-55C/T and the RPTOR-26934C/T may only have subtle effects on the development of obesity-related traits in the present humans. These two SNPs might be irrelevant to inter-individual variations in energy metabolism and efficiency of NST

Summary

Introduction

Non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) involves a substantial amount of energy expenditure in humans and, contributes to reducing the risk for obesity. Might influence NST and confer adaptive advantages for modern human dispersal into cold environments. The impact of these SNPs on obesity-related traits was investigated. Non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) currently draws much attention as a factor for reducing the risk of obesity through enhancement of energy expenditure. The amount of active BAT observed in the human body is strongly influenced by the age of the subject. The age-related decline of BAT is thought to increase risks for obesity in adults [5]. Activation of BAT has frequently been observed in experiments performed in cold seasons compared to hot seasons [2].

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