The Leu72Met polymorphism of the ghrelin gene is associated with a decreased risk for type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Ghrelin is involved in several metabolic and cardiovascular processes. The Leu72Met polymorphism of its gene was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (DM2) in some, but not all studies. Its association with atherosclerosis is not known.


METHODS
We investigated 420 Caucasian subjects with DM2 and 430 controls without diabetes (56.6% male, age 62+/-10 years).


RESULTS
The Leu72Leu genotype frequencies were 89.76/84.65%, the Leu72Met 9.52/15.12% and the Met72Met 0.71/0.23% (P=0.029) in the DM2 and controls groups, respectively. In subjects with Met72+ genotypes the risk of DM2 was significantly decreased (univariate OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42-0.95, P=0.026). In a logistic regression model, body mass index, hypertension and a positive family history for diabetes were predictors of diabetes while the polymorphism remained negatively associated with the disease (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.97, P=0.036). After adjusting for known risk factors for atherosclerosis, the Met72+ variant was not associated with atherosclerotic disease (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.78-2.54, P=0.25). Ghrelin concentrations were not associated with the polymorphism, DM2 or atherosclerotic disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The Leu72Met polymorphism of the ghrelin gene is associated with a decreased risk for DM2. There is no association between the variant and atherosclerotic disease or ghrelin concentrations.
Berthold
Heiner K
HK
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Giannakidou
Eleni
E
Krone
Wilhelm
W
Mantzoros
Christos S
CS
Gouni-Berthold
Ioanna
I
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007930:Leucine / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012016:Reference Values; D044465:White People
D054439:Ghrelin; D008715:Methionine; D007930:Leucine