Leptin gene and leptin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with sweet preference and obesity.
Leptin is an adipocyte-secreted hormone that regulates food intake and body weight, and that was recently reported to suppress sweet sensitivity in an animal model. We investigated the associations among sweet preference, obesity, and polymorphisms of the leptin gene (LEP) or leptin receptor gene (LEPR). A total of 3,653 residents randomly selected from among the citizens of Suita City, Osaka, Japan were enlisted as subjects, in whom we investigated sweet preference, clinical characteristics, including obesity and serum leptin level, and the polymorphisms of LEP and LEPR (G-2548A and A19G for LEP; R109K, R223Q, and rs3790439 for LEPR). We determined the associations among the parameters using logistic regression analysis, in order to consider potential confounding factors for sweet preference and/or obesity. The LEP A19G and LEPR R109K polymorphisms were associated with sweet preference, whereas the serum leptin level was not. Further, the LEPR 109KK genotype was found to be associated with obesity along with sweet preference. In conclusion, our results are the first to show associations of LEP and LEPR polymorphisms with sweet preference, and may provide useful information for diagnosis and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases.
Mizuta
Einosuke
E
Department of Bioscience, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Japan.
Kokubo
Yoshihiro
Y
Yamanaka
Itaru
I
Miyamoto
Yoshihiro
Y
Okayama
Akira
A
Yoshimasa
Yasunao
Y
Tomoike
Hitonobu
H
Morisaki
Hiroko
H
Morisaki
Takayuki
T
D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics*; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000235:genetics*; D013649:Taste
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D020738:Leptin; D015221:Potassium Channels; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D002118:Calcium