A polymorphism, L162V, in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) gene is associated with lower body mass index in patientswith non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

This study examined the effect a polymorphism (L162V) in the gene for perox isome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) alpha in the development of no ninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM), obesity and hyperlipidaem ia. The frequency of the L162V polymorphism in the PPAR alpha gene was dete rmined in 370 morbidly obese patients who underwent gastric banding surgery , 154 patients attending a type 2 DM clinic, 188 patients attending a lipid clinic and 199 healthy blood donors. The overall frequency of the V allele of the L162V polymorphism was 0.06. There were no significant differences in the allele frequency between patients with morbid obesity, hyperlipidaem ia, type 2 DM and healthy controls, suggesting that it does not play a majo r role in the development of these conditions. The polymorphism was associa ted with a lower body mass index (BMI) in two independently recruited group s of patients with type 2, DM, There was no effect of the polymorphism on s ubjects without type 2 DM, Thus a polymorphism in PPAR alpha protects type 2 DM patients from the overweight which is frequently associated with their condition.