The Trp64Arg Polymorphism of the β3-adrenergic Receptor Gene is Associated with Weight Changes in obese Japanese Men: A 4-year Follow-up Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3) is associated with weight changes in obese Japanese men at 4-year follow-up. The participants were 145 obese Japanese men [age: 35.8+/-5.3 y; body mass index (BMI): 27.5+/-3.3 kg/m(2)]. The participants were divided into two groups according to the Trp64Arg genotype: (1) with the Arg64 allele of the ADRB3 (Trp64Arg and Arg64Arg genotypes, n=50); (2) without the Arg64 allele of the ADRB3 (Trp64Trp genotype, n=95). The ADRB3 genotyping was performed by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Body weight, BMI, and blood pressure were determined at baseline and at 4 years. After 4 years, the participants with the Arg allele of the ADRB3 significantly increased their body weight (2.1+/-4.7 kg, p=0.002) and BMI (0.64+/-1.6 kg/m(2), p=0.006) whereas the participants without the Arg allele of the ADRB3 did not significantly change in these parameters (body weight: -0.36+/-4.2 kg, p=0.41; BMI: -0.24+/-1.5 kg/m(2), p=0.12). The results in this study showed that the Arg allele of the ADRB3 is associated with long-term changes in body weight in obese individuals. This polymorphism may become an indicator in personalized weight loss programs in obese men.