The lactase persistence allele –22018 G/A associated with body mass index in an Asian population

Abstract

BackgroundA strong association of the –13910 C/T polymorphism with body mass index (BMI) and obesity has been previously reported in Europeans and Chilean goat herders. We aimed to examine the relationship of lactase persistence allele –22018 G/A with BMI and clinical characteristics in an Asian populations. MethodsWe collected 400 samples from seven Iranian ethnic groups, from whom we investigated their lactose tolerance and screened the genetic variants in their lactase gene locus. Height, weight and clinical characteristics were directly measured. WHO classification of BMI was used. ResultsThe results indicated that Increasing BMI increased significantly the risk of blood pressure and fasting glucose and decreased body temperature in the studied population. We showed that the –22018 G/A allele was positively associated with BMI in Iranian and Asian populations (P < 0.05). ConclusionIn conclusion, in Asian population-based 7 major Iranian populations, we found evidence for association of the lactase persistence allele –22018*A with BMI and weight. In the future, meta-analysis of genome-wide association (GWA) studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm our finding.