The growth hormone receptor (GHR) exon 3 polymorphism and its correlation with metabolic profiles in obese Chinese children

Abstract

We investigated the correlation between the growth hormone receptor (GHR) exon 3 polymorphism and the metabolic profiles of Chinese children with obesity. A total of 409 obese/overweight children and 206 normal weight children were recruited. Anthropological and biochemical indexes including insulin and lipid profiles were measured. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood leukocytes, and the GHR exon 3 polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction. Homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated using the homeostasis model. The frequency of the exon 3-deleted GHR (d3-GHR) polymorphism within the obese group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin (FIns), HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly lower in the d3-GHR (d3/d3 and d3/fl) group than in the full-length GHR (fl/fl, fl-GHR) group (p < 0.05). After adjustment for BMI, cholesterol level was still significantly lower and HOMA-IR was marginally lower (p = 0.079) in the d3-GHR obese group. There was no statistically significant difference in BMI, FIns, HOMA-IR, ISI, total cholesterol, or triglyceride levels between the two genotypes in the control group. We report that the d3-GHR polymorphism has a significant effect on BMI and the metabolic parameters of Chinese children with obesity. The d3 allele may have a protective effect on the development of metabolic syndrome by increasing insulin sensitivity.