LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT ACID-PHOSPHATASE (ACP1) OBESITY, AND BLOOD LIPID-LEVELS IN SUBJECTS WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

Low-molecular-weight acid phosphatase (ACPI) is a polymorphic protein- tyrosine phosphatase present in all human tissues, including adipocyte s. A positive association between the low-activity ACPI A/*A genotype and extreme body mass index has previously been shown by us in obese subjects from the population of Rome. We have now studied a sample of 265 subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) from another Italian population. There is a significant interaction betwee n ACPI, body mass index, and blood lipid level. A highly significant p ositive association between ACPI A/*A and high body mass index simila r to that previously observed in obese subjects from the population of Rome is present only in those NIDDM subjects with blood lipid levels within the normal range, In NIDDM subjects the low-activity ACPI A/*A variant seems to favor the increase of body mass or blood Lipid level s or both, The pattern of association is independent of sex, age at su rvey, age at onset of diabetes, duration of disease, and therapy.