Original Communication
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005) 59, 955–959. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602164; published online 8 June 2005
The frequency of Trp64Arg polymorphism of the 
3-adrenergic receptor gene in healthy and obese Hungarian children and its association with cardiovascular risk factors
Guarantor: D. Molnár.Contributors: M. Czakó, K. Csernus, Gy. Kosztolányi, and D. Molnár.
É Erhardt1, M Czakó2, K Csernus1, D Molnár1 and Gy Kosztolányi2
- 1Department of Paediatrics, Medical Faculty, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- 2Department of Clinical Genetics and Child Development, Medical Faculty, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
Correspondence: É Erhardt, Department of Paediatrics, Medical Faculty, University of Pécs, H-7623 Pécs, József A. u. 7, Pécs, Hungary. E-mail: eva.erhardt@aok.pte.hu
Received 13 July 2004; Revised 18 March 2005; Accepted 18 April 2005; Published online 8 June 2005.
Abstract
Objective:
To estimate the frequency of Arg64 allele of the 
3-adrenergic receptor (3-BAR) gene in healthy (H) and obese (O) Hungarian children, and to look for possible associations between this polymorphism and some clinical and metabolic characteristics of obese children.
Patients/methods:
In all, 147 healthy (male: 68) and 295 obese (male: 168) children were examined. The average age of the children in the two groups was 12.4
1.7 vs 12.63.2, respectively. Exon 1 of 3-BAR was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and the fragments were digested with BstN1. In obese children, oral glucose tolerance test was carried out and blood pressure (BP) was checked.
Results:
The frequency of Trp64Arg polymorphism in normal and obese Hungarian children was similar (H vs O: n=14/9.5% vs n=35/11.8%). Obese children carrying the Arg64 allele (n=35, male: 23) were compared to randomly chosen, obese children without the Arg64 allele (n=35, male: 20). A significant difference was found between the body weight (81.223.2 vs 75.617.7 kg; means.d.; P<0.01), body fat (38.83.9 vs 36.52.3%; means.d.; P<0.05), mean fasting insulin levels (31.416.7 vs 16.97.6 
IU/ml; P<0.001) and mean systolic BP values (125.210.1 vs 114.58.3 mmHg; P<0.001) of the two obese groups.
Conclusions:
The frequency of Trp64Arg polymorphism was similar in Hungary as compared to other European countries. Although the prevalence of this polymorphism was similar in H and O children, the presence of Arg64 allele seems to be associated with increased adiposity, elevated systolic BP and higher fasting insulin levels.
Keywords:
3-adrenergic receptor gene, Trp64Arg polymorphism, cardiovascular risk factors
