Abstract
Background: The relationship between Pro12Ala variant of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPAR-gamma2), insulin sensitivity and plasma fatty acids is unclear.
Aim: To examine whether an association of PPAR-gamma2 Pro12Ala with insulin sensitivity and plasma fatty acids may exist in obese children.
Methods: One-hundred and twelve obese children (mean age [SD], 10.4 [2.8] y), were included into this observational study. Obesity was defined in accordance with the International Obesity Task Force. BMI z scores were calculated and adjusted by using the LMS-method of Cole. Fasting blood samples were taken for measurements of glucose, insulin levels, lipid profile, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fatty acids (FA) composition. Insulin resistance (IR) was estimated by the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR). Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood using standard methods, and the Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 variant was detected by PCR polymorphism analysis.
Results: Prevalence of Ala carriers was 19%. Multiple logistic-regression analysis disclosed that the Pro12Ala genotype was independently associated with lower values of 1. fasting insulin levels (p=0.032), 2. HOMA-IR (p=0.05), 3. plasma levels of C20:3n-9 (p=0.004) and 4. n-6/n-3 PUFA (p=0.063) compared with Pro/Pro. Mean [SD] values of fasting insulin levels, HOMA, C20:3n-9 and n-6/n-3 PUFA in Pro/Pro and Pro12Ala groups were, respectively, : 21.7 [13.1] vs 13.1 [6.6] mU/ml, 4.7 [3.9] vs 3.0 [2.0], 0.17 [0.15] vs 0.09 [0.02] mg/dl and 14.2 [3.3] vs 12.7 [2.2].
Conclusions: In this study Pro12Ala polymorphism was related to higher insulin sensitivity and to an healthy plasma fatty acids pattern. We speculate that obese children carriers of the Ala12 allele might be protected from cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes by the phenotypic effect on insulin resistance and on plasma fatty acids metabolism.
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Scaglioni, S., Verduci, E., Salvioni, M. et al. 401 Ppar-Gamma2 Pro12 Ala Variant, Insulin Sensitivity and Plasma Fatty Acids in Childhood Obesity. Pediatr Res 58, 423 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00430
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00430