FTO gene polymorphisms and platelet counts in a general Japanese population.
The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene has recently attracted attention as one of the obesity-related genes. Obesity-related gene polymorphisms may be associated with the development of atherothrombosis in relation to platelets. The present study investigated the association between FTO gene polymorphisms (rs1558902, T/A) and hematological parameters, in particular the platelet counts. Anthropometric, hematological, and biochemical parameters, in addition to genotyping by an allele-specific DNA assay, were measured in 209 asymptomatic community-dwelling Japanese subjects (male/female: 80/129; mean age, 65 years; mean [SD] body mass index, 24.0 [3.0] kg/m). The subjects with the A-allele (n = 73) showed significantly higher platelet counts than those without the A-allele (mean [SD], 237 [58] vs 217 [57] × 10/L, P < 0.05). Even when multiple-adjusted analyses were performed, the platelet counts continued to differ significantly and independently of other variables, including obesity-related parameters such as the index of insulin resistance or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, between the subjects with and without the A-allele. The FTO gene polymorphisms may be associated with the minor but significant modulation of platelet counts in this population.
Division of Preventive Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan. kazukotani@jichi.ac.jp
Kazuhiko
K
Kotani
Shinji
S
Fujiwara
Kokoro
K
Tsuzaki
Naoki
N
Sakane
D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D000071516:Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D011506:Proteins; D000071516:Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO; C526492:FTO protein, human