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A polymorphism in the gene encoding AdipoR1 affects olfactory recognition

International Journal of Obesity volume 35, pages 873–876 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Polymorphisms in the gene encoding adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) are associated with insulin resistance, fatty liver, increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. AdipoR1 is expressed in the central nervous system and in the olfactory mucosa of mice and humans. We therefore hypothesized that a common polymorphism in AdipoR1 might alter olfactory function. We investigated a group of 222 healthy subjects (male: n=147, female: n=75) for olfactory recognition, and genotyped them for the polymorphism rs6666089 in the human AdipoR1 gene. This polymorphism has been previously shown to be associated with insulin resistance. Olfactory recognition was tested using standardized sniffing sticks, and parameters of glucose metabolism and serum adiponectin levels were assessed. We found a significant olfactory impairment in carriers of the AdipoR1 polymorphism rs6666089 (olfactory recognition: GG: 89.4±1.2%, GA: 86.9±1.4%, AA: 77.2±4.8%, additive model, P=0.0004, adjusted for age). Adiponectin levels had no impact on olfactory recognition. Fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, body mass index and HbA1c did not differ between the genotype groups. In conclusion, the presence of a genetic variation in AdipoR1 is associated with decreased olfactory recognition in healthy subjects. Adiponectin signalling may have an important role in olfactory function and regulation of appetite.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all study participants for their cooperation. We gratefully acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of A Bury, A Guirguis, M Weisser and R Werner. We thank Mary-Ann Schneider for careful proof reading of the manuscript. The study was supported by a grant (Grant number 2 A I) from the Zentrum Ernährungsmedizin Tübingen-Hohenheim (ZEM).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Internal Medicine IV, Angiology, Nephrology and Clinical Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany

    M Guthoff, O Tschritter, F Machicao, H-U Haering & A Fritsche

  2. Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie-Institute of Clinical Brain Research and German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Eberhard-Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany

    D Berg, I Liepelt & C Schulte

  3. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany

    H Breer

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  1. M Guthoff
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  2. O Tschritter
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  5. C Schulte
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  8. H-U Haering
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Correspondence to A Fritsche.

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Guthoff, M., Tschritter, O., Berg, D. et al. A polymorphism in the gene encoding AdipoR1 affects olfactory recognition. Int J Obes 35, 873–876 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.211

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