THE TRP64ARG POLYMORPHISM OF THE BETA(3)-ADRENEGIC RECEPTOR GENE - LACK OF ASSOCIATION WITH NIDDM AND FEATURES OF INSULIN-RESISTANCE SYNDROME

OBJECTIVE - To investigate the association of the Trp64Arg polymorphis m of the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene with NIDDM and the features of insulin resistance syndrome in subjects from eastern Finland. DESIG N AND METHODS - We determined the prevalence of the Trp64Arg polymorph ism of the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene by restriction fragment le ngth polymorphism analysis in 110 patients with NIDDM (54 men and 56 w omen, age 63 +/- 1 years, BMI 30.4 +/- 0.5 kg/m(2)), in 183 patients w ith features of insulin resistance syndrome (103 men and 80 women, age 44 +/- 0 years, BMI 31.1 +/- 0.4 kg/m(2)), and in 82 normoglycemic co ntrol men (age 54 +/- 1 years, BMI 26.3 +/- 0.4 kg/m(2)). RESULTS - Th e allele frequency of the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta(3)-adrener gic receptor gene was similar in patients with NIDDM, in patients with insulin resistance syndrome, and in control subjects (0.08, 0.07, and 0.07, respectively; NS). In addition, this polymorphism was not assoc iated with low resting metabolic rate, abdominal obesity, increased li pid oxidation, hypertension, or earlier development of NIDDM as previo usly described. Furthermore, in 82 normoglycemic male control subjects the Trp64Arg polymorphism was not associated with insulin resistance evaluated by the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. CONCLUSIONS - The Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene is unlik ely to be a major genetic predisposer to NIDDM or insulin resistance s yndrome in subjects from eastern Finland.