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Pro12Ala mutation in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2) and severe obesity: a case–control study

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages 1195–1199 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of the Pro12Ala mutation in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 with severe obesity and the features of the metabolic syndrome in a population-based sample of Caucasians.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: The study is based on a case–control design: 95 non-diabetic severely obese (body mass index, BMI>35 kg/m2) cases and 280 normal weight (BMI<25 kg/m2), age- and sex-matched controls selected from the same population were studied. Height, weight, waist circumference, as well as blood pressure were measured according to a standard protocol. BMI at age 25 y was calculated on the basis of current height and reported weight at age 25 y Biochemical measurements included fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and insulin. DNA analysis was conducted by PCR and gel electrophoresis.

RESULTS: Age and gender distribution were similar in obese and normal weight participants. The percentage of people with the Pro12Ala mutation was not significantly different in obese or normal weight participants (20% and 15%, respectively; P=0.32). Conversely, in obese participants with obesity starting in early adulthood (ie with BMI at age 25 above 26.9 kg/m2 which represents the median of the whole obese group), the Pro12Ala mutation was observed significantly more frequently than in the normal weight controls (29% vs 15%; chi square=4.5, P<0.05; odds ratio 2.4; 95% CI 1.03–5.36). No association of the Pro12Ala variant with any of the component of the metabolic syndrome measured in the study was observed in either obese, juvenile obese or normal weight participants.

CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate that the Pro12Ala mutation does not play a major role as a determinant of severe obesity and/or features of the metabolic syndrome in the general population. However, this mutation may be of greater importance as a contributor to early onset obesity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Medical School, Federico II University,

    O Vaccaro, G Ruffa & G Riccardi

  2. Naples, Italy

    O Vaccaro, G Ruffa & G Riccardi

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Medical Biotechnologies, Medical School, Federico II University,

    FP Mancini, L Sabatino & V Colantuoni

  4. Naples, Italy

    FP Mancini, L Sabatino & V Colantuoni

  5. Faculty of Biochemical Sciences University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy

    V Colantuoni

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  1. O Vaccaro
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  4. L Sabatino
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  6. G Riccardi
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Correspondence to O Vaccaro.

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Vaccaro, O., Mancini, F., Ruffa, G. et al. Pro12Ala mutation in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2) and severe obesity: a case–control study. Int J Obes 24, 1195–1199 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801366

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