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Impact of polymorphisms of the human β2-adrenoceptor gene on obesity in a French population

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages 382–387 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of two common polymorphisms in the human β2-adrenoceptor gene (Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu substitutions) on obesity and anthropometric measurements as well as blood variables in a large sample of a French population.

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Within the framework of the WHO-MONICA project, a population study composed of 1195 subjects aged 35–64 y was randomly sampled from the electoral rolls of the Urban Community of Lille, in northern France. Subjects without any medical treatment (for hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension or diabetes mellitus) susceptible to interfere with body weight and biological variables were selected (n=836, 419 men/417 women, age=49.5±8.1 y, body mass index (BMI)=25.7±4.4 kg/m2). Subjects with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 were considered as obese (n=119, age=49.5±8.2 y, BMI=33.9±3.3 kg/m2 range 30–44).

MEASUREMENTS: Genotyping was carried out with allele-specific oligonucleotides hybridization. Association between genotypes and various obesity markers (body weight, body mass index, waist and waist-to-hip ratio), lipid, glucose and insulin variables were studied.

RESULTS: The Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium. Gln27Gln subjects had an increased risk of obesity (odds ratio (OR)=1.77, 95% CI 1.19–2.62, P=0.005). This effect was mainly detected in men (OR=2.40, 95% CI 1.34–4.27, P=0.003). Men bearing the Gln27Gln genotype had higher body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and waist-to-hip ratio than others. Moreover, if Gln27Gln men carried in addition the Arg16 allele, the increase in body weight, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio was more important.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that genetic variability of the β2-adrenoceptor gene is implicated in body weight regulation and in the onset of obesity in French men.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Selaiman Rahimi, Valérie Codron and Xavier Hermant for technical assistance. AM was supported by a grant from the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale. The WHO-MONICA population study developed in the North of France was supported by grants from the Conseil Régional du Nord-Pas de Calais, the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, ONIVINS, the Parke–Davis Laboratory, the Mutuelle Générale de l'Education Nationale (MGEN), the Réseau National de Santé Publique, the Direction Générale de La Santé, the Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), the Institut Pasteur de Lille and the Unité d'Evaluation du Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Lille.

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  1. Service d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique—INSERM U508, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1 rue Calmette, BP 245, Lille Cedex, 59019, France

    A Meirhaeghe, N Helbecque, D Cottel & P Amouyel

  2. Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Lille, place de Verdun, Lille Cedex, 59045, France

    P Amouyel

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  1. A Meirhaeghe
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Correspondence to P Amouyel.

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Meirhaeghe, A., Helbecque, N., Cottel, D. et al. Impact of polymorphisms of the human β2-adrenoceptor gene on obesity in a French population. Int J Obes 24, 382–387 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801168

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