Association of a low density lipoprotein receptor microsatellite variant with obesity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a microsatellite polymorphism located towards the 3' end of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene (LDLR) is associated with obesity.


METHODS
A cross-sectional case-control study.


METHODS
One hundred and seven obese individuals, defined as a body mass index (BMI) > or = 26 kg/m2, and 163 lean individuals, defined as a BMI < 26 kg/m2.


METHODS
BMI, blood pressure, serum lipids, alleles of LDLR microsatellite (106 bp, 108 bp and 112 bp).


RESULTS
There was a significant association between variants of the LDLR microsatellite and obesity, in the overall tested population, due to a contributing effect in females (chi 2 = 12.3, P = 0.002), but not in males (chi 2 = 0.3, P = 0.87). In females, individuals with the 106 bp allele were more likely to be lean, while individuals with the 112 bp and/or 108 bp alleles tended to be obese.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that in females, LDLR may play a role in the development of obesity.
Rutherford
S
S
Genomics Research Centre, School of Health Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
Nyholt
D R
DR
Curtain
R P
RP
Quinlan
S R
SR
Gaffney
P T
PT
Morris
B J
BJ
Griffiths
L R
LR
D000483:Alleles; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics*
D008055:Lipids; D011973:Receptors, LDL