title: Polymorphisms in the endocannabinoid receptor 1 in relation to fat mass distribution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Both animal and human studies have associated the endocannabinoid system with obesity and markers of metabolic dysfunction. Blockade of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) caused weight loss and reduction in waist size in both obese and type II diabetics. Recent studies on common variants of the CB1 receptor gene (CNR1) and the link to obesity have been conflicting. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether selected common variants of the CNR1 are associated with measures of obesity and fat distribution.
  
  
  METHODS
  The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs806381, rs10485179 and rs1049353 were genotyped, and body fat and fat distribution were assessed by the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging in a population-based study comprising of 783 Danish men, aged 20-29 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rs806381 polymorphism was significantly associated with visceral fat mass (FM) only, whereas the rs1049353 was significantly and directly associated with visceral and intermuscular FM. None of the SNPs analysed were associated with total body FM or subcutaneous FM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results point towards a link between common variants of the CNR1 and fat distribution in young men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark. frostnielsen@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wraae
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piters
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beckers
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Freitas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brixen
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van Hul
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1