title: The N363S polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor gene: effects on visceral fat assessed by abdominal computed tomography.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Cintia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cercato
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halpern
authors.forename: Eliana S T
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Frazzatto
authors.forename: Izabel Cristina
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Guazzelli
authors.forename: Sandra Mara Ferreira
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Villares
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D002784:Cholesterol