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Polymorphisms in the leptin and leptin receptor genes in relation to resting metabolic rate and respiratory quotient in the Québec Family Study

International Journal of Obesity volume 30, pages 183–190 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

Leptin (LEP) is an endocrine hormone that participates in many metabolic pathways, including those associated with the central regulation of energy homeostasis.

Objective:

We examined the associations between polymorphisms in the LEP and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes and resting metabolic rate (RMR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) in the Quebec Family Study.

Methods and subjects:

Three polymorphisms in LEPR (K109R, Q223R and K656N) and one in LEP (19A>G) were genotyped in 678 subjects. RMR, RQ at rest and RQ while sitting, standing and walking at 4.5 km/h (RQ45) were adjusted for age, sex, fat mass and fat-free mass.

Results:

RQ45 was associated with the LEPR-K109R (P=0.004) and Q223R (P=0.03) polymorphisms, and RMR showed association with the LEPR-K656N polymorphism (P=0.006). For the LEP-19A>G polymorphism, no significant associations were observed. However, LEP-A19A homozygotes who were carriers of the LEPR N656 allele had a significantly lower RQ45 compared to other genotype combinations (P for interaction=0.003).

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that DNA sequence variation in the LEPR gene contributes to human variation in RMR and in the relative rates of substrate oxidation during low-intensity exercise in steady state but not in a resting state.

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Acknowledgements

The Québec Family Study was supported by multiple grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (PG-11811, MT-13960 and GR-15187). R Loos is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the American Heart Association; Southeast affiliate (no. 0325355B). C Bouchard is partially supported by the George A Bray Chair in Nutrition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Genomics Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    R J F Loos, T Rankinen & C Bouchard

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Genetic Psychiatry, Laval University Robert-Giffard Research Center, Beauport, Québec, Canada

    Y Chagnon

  3. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Physical Activity Sciences Laboratory, Laval University, Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada

    A Tremblay & L Pérusse

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  1. R J F Loos
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Correspondence to C Bouchard.

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Loos, R., Rankinen, T., Chagnon, Y. et al. Polymorphisms in the leptin and leptin receptor genes in relation to resting metabolic rate and respiratory quotient in the Québec Family Study. Int J Obes 30, 183–190 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803127

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