Polymorphisms in the endocannabinoid receptor 1 in relation to fat mass distribution.
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.
Frost
M
M
Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark. frostnielsen@yahoo.com
Nielsen
T L
TL
Wraae
K
K
Hagen
C
C
Piters
E
E
Beckers
S
S
De Freitas
F
F
Brixen
K
K
Van Hul
W
W
Andersen
M
M
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
D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1