Genetic variation in the promoter region of the TNF rs1800629 gene is not associated with adiposity index, but AA genotype is more likely to have low cellular membrane integrity

- It was proposed that overweight is more related to the life style than rs1800629.
- rs1800629 do not change blood glucose levels or blood pressure in this population.
- rs1800629 could not be used as a obesity associated factor in this population.

BackgroundThe complex pathophysiology of obesity includes low-grade chronic inflammation of white adipose tissue, an increase in plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as genetic factors, which have all emerged as important risk factors.ObjectiveEvaluate the association between the TNFα-308G/A variant and sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral variables in an urban population using overall and central obesity as the measured outcome.MethodsA cross-sectional population-based study was conducted. Anthropometric measures and genotyping were assessed in 808 individuals. The associations were tested using the hierarchical theoretical model and multiple logistic regressions.ResultsThirty-one percent of subjects were overweight while 19.4% were obese. No association was observed between genotype frequencies of TNFα-308G/A and either obesity or other variables of adiposity, including waist circumference, waist to height ratio, conicity index, and fat mass. However, age, gender, physical inactivity, and other comorbidities were associated with measures of excess adiposity in the hierarchical model. The phase angle of AA genotype was lower than GA and GG genotypes (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe rs1800629 SNP of the TNFA gene was not associated with the adiposity indicators evaluated in this based population study. However, AA genotype is more likely to have low cellular membrane integrity.