FTO gene is related to obesity in Chilean Amerindian children and impairs HOMA-IR in prepubertal girls

Riffo, B., Asenjo, S., Sáez, K., Aguayo, C., Muñoz, I., Bustos, P., Celis-Morales, C.A. , Lagos, J., Sapunar, J. and Ulloa, N. (2012) FTO gene is related to obesity in Chilean Amerindian children and impairs HOMA-IR in prepubertal girls. Pediatric Diabetes, 13(5), pp. 384-91. (doi: 10.1111/j.1399-5448.2011.00834.x) (PMID:22141579)

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the allelic frequency of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene (rs9939609) and its influences on obesity and metabolic risk biomarkers in a cohort of normal weight and obese Chilean children determining its ethnicity.<p></p> Methods: A total of 136 normal weight children and 238 obese children (between 6 and 11 yr old) from an urban setting were recruited for this case–control study. The children were classified as normal weight [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 5th and < 85th percentiles] or obese (BMI >95th percentile), according to the international age- and gender-specific percentiles defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The analysis of serum markers was carried out using commercial kits. The FTO polymorphism was determined through a high-resolution melting enabled real time polymerase chain reaction. Ethnicity was determined by analyzing mitochondrial DNA by the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.<p></p> Results: As much as 85% of the cohort was Amerindian. The minor A allele of rs9939609 was associated with obesity (odds ratio (OR): 1.422 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.068–1.868] p = 0.015), calculated using an additive model. In sex-stratified analysis we found that the risk variant (A) of rs9939609 was associated with a higher homeostasis model of assessment for insulin (HOMA-IR) in prepubertal obese girls. In male carriers of the A allele, HOMA-IR showed no further deterioration than that already associated with obesity.<p></p> Conclusions: In summary, we confirm the association of the FTO gene single-nucleotide polymorphism rs9939609 with obesity in Chilean Amerindian children. Furthermore we show an association between the risk allele (A) and insulin resistance-related markers in prepubertal obese girls.<p></p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Celis, Dr Carlos
• Authors: Riffo, B., Asenjo, S., Sáez, K., Aguayo, C., Muñoz, I., Bustos, P., Celis-Morales, C.A., Lagos, J., Sapunar, J., and Ulloa, N.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Pediatric Diabetes
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons A/S
• ISSN: 1399-543X
• ISSN (Online): 1399-5448