Polymorphism Pro12Ala of PPARG in prepubertal children with premature adrenarche and its association with growth in healthy children.
BACKGROUND
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 (PPARγ2) participates in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, and has connections to the GH-IGF system and ACTH-adrenal androgen axis. We hypothesized that PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism leading to decreased receptor activity could contribute to the premature onset of adrenarche (PA).


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional association study in 73 prepubertal children with PA and 97 age- and sex-matched healthy control children. Growth data, baseline hormone levels, and the values of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were compared with PPARG genotypes.


RESULTS
We found no difference in the genotype distribution of PPARG between the PA and control children. The minor Ala12 variant was associated with lower current height SD scores (SDS) in the controls, but no similar association was seen in the PA children. Birth measures and current weight for height were equal between the genotype groups in both control and PA children. The Ala12 variant was associated with trends for a lower serum IGF-I level and lower serum insulin concentration at the 120-min time point of OGTT in control children.


CONCLUSIONS
The Pro12Ala genotype of PPARG was not associated with PA. The minor Ala12 variant was associated with lower height SDS in healthy prepubertal children indicating its possible effects on growth.
Laakso
Saila
S
Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. saila.lappalainen@uef.fi
Utriainen
Pauliina
P
Laakso
Markku
M
Voutilainen
Raimo
R
Jääskeläinen
Jarmo
J
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D050499:Adrenarche / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006128:Growth / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000728:Androgens; D047495:PPAR gamma; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D004247:DNA