Association of Adiponectin Gene Polymorphisms with Adiponectin Levels, Biochemical Variables, and Obesity in Men

Abstract

Background: Obesity are a major public health problem that is increasing worldwide. Adiponectin is a protein secreted by adipose tissue that plays an important role in glucose and lipid metabolism. This study was conducted in men and aimed to investigate the association of rs1501299, rs266729, rs17300539 and rs17366743 polymorphisms of the adiponectin gene with obesity and adiponectin levels.

Methods: The present case-control study was conducted on 180 men from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, including 100 participants with body mass index (BMI) <25 and 80 participants with BMI ≥25. Anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured using standard methods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum adiponectin and cortisol concentrations. Genotyping of polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software.

Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the level of adiponectin and other anthropometric and biochemical variables except cortisol between the two groups (P< 0.05). None of the polymorphisms showed a significant association with obesity. Carriers of the A allele of the rs17366743 polymorphism had lower total and LDL cholesterol levels compared to TT individuals. Other polymorphisms did not show an association with adiponectin and other anthropometric and biochemical variables.

Conclusion: Adiponectin levels were associated with obesity, but no association was found between ADIPOQ gene polymorphisms with adiponectin and obesity. The A allele of the rs17366743 polymorphism is associated with lower levels of cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL), which may indicate the association of the rs17366743 polymorphism with lipid profile and the protective role of the A allele.