Contribution of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor Ɣ2 gene in relation to obesity

Background and aimsPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor Ɣ2 (PPARƔ2) gene Pro12Ala polymorphism has been extensively studied in relation to obesity and its associated metabolic complications but the results were inconclusive. This study aimed to identify the genotypic and allelic frequencies of PPARƔ2 gene and its association with anthropometric measurements, lipid profiles and the susceptibility for obesity in Malay subjects.Methods and resultsThis cross-sectional, comparative study involved 217 subjects (94 obese and 123 non-obese as controls). Anthropometric and lipid profiles were measured. Genotyping was performed by allele-specific PCR. Comparisons were made between the genotypes and the association of PPARƔ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism with obesity was evaluated. The Pro12Pro, Pro12Ala and Ala12Ala genotypic frequencies were significantly different between groups (88.3%/11.7%/0.0% vs. 97.6%/2.4%/0.0% respectively, P = 0.006).The Ala12 allele was more frequent in obese than the non-obese (5.9% vs. 1.1%, P = 0.007). Ala12 carriers were associated with higher BMI (P = 0.016), BF% (P = 0.019) and a trend towards higher BAI (P = 0.055) than the non-carriers. Besides age, high level of triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol, Ala12 allele (Adjusted OR = 5.46, 95% CI = 1.27-23.40; P = 0.022) were regarded as independent risk factors for obesity.ConclusionsThis study indicates that the PPARƔ2 gene Pro12Ala polymorphism predisposes to obesity in Malay subjects and Ala12 allele could predict alterations in adipocyte and lipid metabolism among them. Age, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and Ala12 allele conferred to increased risk for obesity in this ethnicity.