title: Polymorphisms of the UCP2 gene are associated with body fat distribution and risk of abdominal obesity in Spanish population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased accumulation of fat results from an imbalance between energy expenditure and intake, being modulated by different environmental and genetic factors. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are mitochondrial carrier proteins able to spend energy generating heat. Therefore, variations in these genes are good candidates as potential modulators of body fat accumulation. Our aim was to investigate the possible association of genetic variations of the gene codifying the UCP2 protein with obesity and fat distribution.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional study in 2367 individuals from two population-based studies from different regions of Spain. The Hortega Study included 1436 individuals (693 women) 21-85 years old, and the Pizarra Study included 931 individuals (584 women) 18-65 years old. We evaluated three polymorphisms of the UCP2 gene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TT genotype of the rs660339 polymorphism and the AA genotype of the rs659366 polymorphism of the UCP2 gene were significantly associated with higher waist circumference in the Hortega Study. Furthermore, subjects carrying both genotypes (TT+AA) also showed higher central adiposity compared with other genotypes. This association was also present in the Pizarra Study. Moreover, in the pooled population, we found a stronger association with waist circumference. Even, we found association with BMI. Furthermore, rs659366 polymorphism was associated with the risk of abdominal obesity (P= 0·04: OR = 1·3; CI = 1·01-1·67).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polymorphisms of the UCP2 gene (rs660339 and rs659366) were associated with central obesity. This study shows association between the UCP2 gene and the susceptibility to obesity and body fat distribution in a south European population.
authors: Service of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. sergio.martinez@uv.es
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Martinez-Hervas
authors: Maria L
authors: ML
authors: Mansego
authors: Griselda
authors: G
authors: de Marco
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Martinez
authors: Mónica P
authors: MP
authors: Alonso
authors: Sonsoles
authors: S
authors: Morcillo
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Rojo-Martinez
authors: Jose T
authors: JT
authors: Real
authors: Juan F
authors: JF
authors: Ascaso
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Redon
authors: Juan C
authors: JC
authors: Martin Escudero
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: Soriguer
authors: Felipe J
authors: FJ
authors: Chaves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D013030:Spain; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000235:genetics; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; C000604389:UCP2 protein, human; D000071246:Uncoupling Protein 2