The N363S polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor gene: effects on visceral fat assessed by abdominal computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To verify whether N363S polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor-gene can be associated to visceral fat by CT scan in obese individuals, and the impact of this variant on metabolic profile.


METHODS
The N363S variant was screened in 295 Brazilians, 195 were obese and 100 presented normal weight. Based on genotype, obese N363S SNP carriers were paired with obese wild-type subjects. This group was submitted to a CT scan and metabolic profile assessment.


RESULTS
Ten subjects were found to be heterozygous for the variant (A/G genotype frequency 3.4%), 8 (4.1%) obese and 2 (2.0%) non-obese. No differences were reported for visceral adiposity area (145.8 +/- 49.9 vs.147.7 +/- 48.8 cm(2); p = 0.92) based on CT scan results but N363S SNP carriers showed a proneness to unfavorable metabolic changes.


CONCLUSIONS
The N363S polymorphism prevalence is low in the Brazilian population, although its presence may contribute to the worsening of individuals' metabolic profiles.
Cercato
Cintia
C
Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar155, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. ccercato@netpoint.com.br
Halpern
Alfredo
A
Frazzatto
Eliana S T
ES
Guazzelli
Izabel Cristina
IC
Villares
Sandra Mara Ferreira
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D002784:Cholesterol