Association study of the -866G/A UCP2 gene promoter polymorphism with type 2 diabetes and obesity in a Tehran population: a case control study.
BACKGROUND
A functional polymorphism in the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene promoter has been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in some populations. The impact of UCP2 polymorphisms on diabetes and obesity is still under debate. Contradictory results have been reported in different populations world-wide. To clarify the contribution of the UCP2 gene -866 G/A polymorphism in the Iranian population, we studied its association with obesity and T2D.


METHODS
A total of 225 unrelated subjects were studied: 75 T2D patients without obesity, 75 obese patients without diabetes and 75 control subjects. The UCP2 -866 G/A polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).


RESULTS
In the normal Iranian population, GG polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased HDL-C level (P=0.027). G/A polymorphism was not associated with obesity and T2D in our study population, but the odds ratio (OR) between GG and G/A polymorphism was 0.61 with a confidence interval (CI) range of 0.34 - 1.08 in obese patients. Subjects with AA genotypes in all of the studied groups showed a lower body mass index (BMI) than subjects with the GG genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the data in our study population is not statistically significant, the A allele in the UCP2 gene promoter seems to be protective against obesity. This may suggest the possibility of UCP2 as a target molecule for studies on the etiology and treatment of obesity.
Heidari
Javad
J
Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Akrami
Seyed Mohammad
SM
Heshmat
Ramin
R
Amiri
Parvin
P
Fakhrzadeh
Hossein
H
Pajouhi
Mohammad
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2; D055815:Young Adult
D007473:Ion Channels; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; C000604389:UCP2 protein, human; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2