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Gln27Glu polymorphism in the beta2 adrenergic receptor gene and lipid metabolism during exercise in obese women

International Journal of Obesity volume 26, pages 1434–1441 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Glu27Glu genotype in the beta-2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is associated with fat mass, body mass index and obesity in females. In our population, we previously found an association of higher body mass index (BMI) among women who reported more physical activity and carried the Glu27 allele as compared to non carriers with the same level of activity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the lipid metabolism differences, both at rest and during submaximal exercise in ADRB2 Glu27Glu vs Gln27Gln obese women.

SUBJECTS: Eight obese women with the Glu27Glu genotype (age, 43±5 y; body mass index (BMI), 31.7±0.9 kg/m2; percentage fat mass, 42.0±1.3; WHR, 0.83±0.02; and VO2max, 21.6±0.9 ml/kg/min) were compared with seven obese women with the Gln27Gln genotype (age, 43±5 y; BMI, 33.9±1.3 kg/m2; percentage fat mass, 41.6±1.2; WHR, 0.83±0.02; and VO2max, 20.6±0.8 ml/kg/min).

MEASUREMENTS: The ADRB2 polymorphism was identified by PCR-RFLP. Respiratory quotient was determined by indirect calorimetry at baseline, during 1 h of walking on a treadmill and 1 h after the exercise. Plasma triglycerides, glycerol, FFA, hydroxybutyrate, glucose and lactate were assayed by spectrophotometric methods. Insulin, leptin and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. Adrenaline and noradrenaline were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS: The ADRB2 Glu27Glu subjects had lower plasma glycerol (P=0.047) and lower hydroxybutyrate (P=0.001) throughout the study than the Gln27Gln group. Plasma triglycerides (P=0.001), lactate (P<0.05) and serum insulin (P<0.05) remained higher in the Glu27Glu group vs the Gln27Gln group. The respiratory quotient (RQ) was higher in the Glu27Glu obese women along the study (P=0.046), and fat oxidation was significantly lower in this group during the recovery (P=0.048). The other variables did not differ statistically between groups.

CONCLUSION: These data suggest that both lipolysis and fat oxidation promoted by an acute submaximal exercise intervention could be blunted in the polymorphic ADRB2 Glu27Glu group of our female obese population.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to Thomas Rau and JL Vizmanos for their valuable counselling in Genetics. Special thanks go to MJ Calasanz and JP Román for their statistical advice. We thank Ana Lorente and Verónica Ciaurriz for the biochemical assays. Gratitude is expressed to Dr J Calabuig and the staff of the University Clinic for their valuable help during the maximal and submaximal trials. Financial support from Línea Especial and Gobierno de Navarra is gratefully recognized. T Macho was supported in part by the Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    T Macho-Azcarate, A Marti & JA Martinez

  2. Biochemistry Department, University Clinic, Pamplona, Spain

    A González

  3. Centro de Investigación y Medicina del Deporte, Gobierno de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    J Ibañez

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Correspondence to JA Martinez.

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Macho-Azcarate, T., Marti, A., González, A. et al. Gln27Glu polymorphism in the beta2 adrenergic receptor gene and lipid metabolism during exercise in obese women. Int J Obes 26, 1434–1441 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802129

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