Inflammatory state and stress condition in weight-lowering Lys109Arg LEPR gene polymorphism carriers.
OBJECTIVE
Carrying variants on the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) may have an impact on inflammatory and stress markers. Thus, the aim of the study was to analyze the role of the Lys109Arg LEPR gene polymorphism on inflammatory (leptin and IL-6) and stress (cortisol) markers in obese subjects who followed a hypocaloric diet designed to lose weight.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy (80 females/90 males) Caucasian subjects (body mass index: 30.8 +/- 2.4 kg/m(2)), were genotyped for the Lys109Arg polymorphism by a PCR/RFLP procedure. Anthropometric measurements were assessed and blood samples were drawn in all the volunteers before and after an 8-week energy-restricted diet (-30% E). Plasma levels of leptin as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6) as proinflammatory markers and circulating cortisol concentrations as a stress hormone were measured.


RESULTS
Weight loss (-6.1 +/- 2.7%; p <0.001) induced significant changes in anthropometric and biochemical determinations. The AA genotype group showed a higher fat mass loss as well as greater total cholesterol decrease compared with the minor allele carriers. Moreover, the G allele carriers were associated with a higher basal risk of inflammation (OR = 2.5; p = 0.042) and stress (OR = 3.3; p = 0.011), which were reduced after weight lowering (p >0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The Arg allele carriers of the Lys109Arg LEPR gene polymorphism were associated with an increased proinflammatory state and stress condition at baseline. These obesity-related markers were importantly decreased after following a hypocaloric diet.
Abete
Iztiar
I
Department of Nutrition, Food Science, Physiology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, Pamploma, Spain.
Goyenechea
Estíbaliz
E
Crujeiras
Ana Belen
AB
Martínez
J Alfredo
JA
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D015992:Body Mass Index; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000235:genetics*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000235:genetics*
D015850:Interleukin-6; C515448:LEPR protein, human; D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D006854:Hydrocortisone