Impact of polymorphisms of the human beta2-adrenoceptor gene on obesity in a French population.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of two common polymorphisms in the human beta2-adrenoceptor gene (Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu substitutions) on obesity and anthropometric measurements as well as blood variables in a large sample of a French population.


METHODS
Within the framework of the WHO-MONICA project, a population study composed of 1195 subjects aged 35-64 y was randomly sampled from the electoral rolls of the Urban Community of Lille, in northern France. Subjects without any medical treatment (for hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension or diabetes mellitus) susceptible to interfere with body weight and biological variables were selected (n = 836, 419 men/417 women, age = 49.5+/-8.1 y, body mass index (BMI) = 25.7+/-4.4 kg/m2). Subjects with a body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2 were considered as obese (n = 119, age = 49.5+/-8.2 y, BMI = 33.9+/-3.3 kg/m2 range 30-44).


METHODS
Genotyping was carried out with allele-specific oligonucleotides hybridization. Association between genotypes and various obesity markers (body weight, body mass index, waist and waist-to-hip ratio), lipid, glucose and insulin variables were studied.


RESULTS
The Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium. Gln27Gln subjects had an increased risk of obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, 95% CI 1.19-2.62, P = 0.005). This effect was mainly detected in men (OR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.34-4.27, P = 0.003). Men bearing the Gln27Gln genotype had higher body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and waist-to-hip ratio than others. Moreover, if Gln27Gln men carried in addition the Arg16 allele, the increase in body weight, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio was more important.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that genetic variability of the beta2-adrenoceptor gene is implicated in body weight regulation and in the onset of obesity in French men.
Meirhaeghe
A
A
Service d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique-INSERM U508, Institut Pasteur de Lille, France.
Helbecque
N
N
Cottel
D
D
Amouyel
P
P
D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005838:Genotype; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005973:Glutamine; D005998:Glycine; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000235:genetics*
D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2; D005973:Glutamine; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D001120:Arginine; D005998:Glycine