Impact of polymorphisms of the human beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene on obesity in a French population

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of two common polymorphisms in the hum an beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene (Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu substitutions) on obesi ty and anthropometric measurements as well as blood variables in a large sa mple of a French population. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Within the framework of the WHO-MONICA project, a popu lation study composed of 1195 subjects aged 35-64 y was randomly sampled fr om the electoral rolls of the Urban Community of Lille, in northern France. Subjects without any medical treatment (for hypercholesterolaemia, hyperte nsion or diabetes mellitus) susceptible to interfere with body weight and b iological variables were selected (n=836, 419 men/417 women, age=49.5 +/- 8 .1 y, body mass index (BMI) = 25.7 +/- 4.4 kg/m(2)), Subjects with a body m ass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m(2) were considered as obese (n = 119, age = 49.5 +/- 8.2 y, BMI = 33.9 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2) range 30-44). MEASUREMENTS: Genotyping was carried out with allele-specific oligonucleoti des hybridization. Association between genotypes and various obesity marker s (body weight, body mass index, waist and waist-to-hip ratio), lipid, gluc ose and insulin variables were studied. RESULTS: The Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium. Gln27Gln subjects ha d an increased risk of obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.77, 95% CI 1.19-2.62, P = 0.005). This effect was mainly detected in men (OR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.34-4 .27, P = 0.003). Men bearing the Gln27Gln genotype had higher body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and waist-to-hip ratio than others. Moreo ver, if Gln27Gln men carried in addition the Arg16 allele, the increase in body weight, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio was more important. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that genetic variability of the beta(2)-adr enoceptor gene is implicated in body weight regulation and in the onset of obesity in French men.