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Common apolipoprotein A-IV variants are associated with differences in body mass index levels and percentage body fat

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between two common apoA-IV variants (Thr347→Ser; Gln360→His), and body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS: Eight-hundred and forty-eight subjects screened for participation in ongoing clinical studies.

MEASUREMENTS: ApoA-IV genotype, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and percentage body fat by bioelectric impedance.

RESULTS: Participants had an average age of 41±12 y and an average BMI of 28.2±5.5 kg/m2. Individuals homozygous for the Ser347 allele had higher BMI (32.3±6.6 vs 28.6±5.3 kg/m2; P<0.01) and percentage body fat (36.9±7.8 vs 31.0±9.6%; P<0.05) compared with individuals homozygous for Thr347. In contrast, the presence of at least one copy of the His360 allele was associated with lower BMI (27.2±5.0 vs 28.4±5.6 kg/m2; P<0.05) and percentage body fat (28.6±8.2 vs 30.7±9.1%; P<0.05). The genotype effects persisted after normalization of the data for the potential confounding effects of gender, age and race. When grouped by BMI percentile, the frequency of the Ser347/Ser347 genotype increased while the frequency of the His360 allele decreased with increasing BMI.

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a role for apoA-IV in fat storage or mobilization and that genetic variations in the apoA-IV gene may play a role in the development of obesity.

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Acknowledgements

The research was supported in part by a grant from Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. The authors wish to thank Ms Bhagya Rajendram for her expert technical assistance.

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Lefevre, M., Lovejoy, J., DeFelice, S. et al. Common apolipoprotein A-IV variants are associated with differences in body mass index levels and percentage body fat. Int J Obes 24, 945–953 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801260

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