ASSOCIATION OF THE TRP64ARG MUTATION OF THE BETA(3)-ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR WITH FATTY LIVER AND MILD GLUCOSE-INTOLERANCE IN JAPANESE SUBJECTS

The prevalence of a mutation of the codon for tryptophan 64 to arginin e (Trp64Arg) in the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene was investigated by genotyping 261 Japanese subjects. The allelic frequency of this mut ation was 0.18. Subjects with the homozygous W64R mutant alleles had a significantly higher prevalence of fatty liver, BMI, serum gamma-glut amyl transpeptidase, and serum leucine amino transpeptidase levels tha n those without the mutation. Individuals with this mutation also show ed a higher fasting blood glucose level than those without this mutati on. However, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was no different betw een the three groups. These results suggest a potential association of the Trp64Arg mutation with higher morbidity of fatty liver and mild g lucose intolerance. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .