Association of Human Fetuin-A rs4917 Polymorphism With Obesity in 2 Cohorts

• Published in: Journal of investigative medicine Vol. 63; no. 3; pp. 548 - 553
• Main Authors: Temesszentandrási, György, Vörös, Krisztián, Böröcz, Zoltán, Kaszás, Edit, Prohászka, Zoltán, Falus, András, Cseh, Károly, Kalabay, László
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-03-2015; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alleles; alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein - genetics; Cohort Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - genetics; Female; Genetic Association Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity - complications; Obesity - genetics; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide - genetics; α2HS-glycoprotein/fetuin A; rs4917; diabetes mellitus; obesity; myocardial infarction
• ISSN: 1081-5589; 1708-8267
• DOI: 10.1097/JIM.0000000000000151

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown association of the multifunctional hepatic protein α2HS-glycoprotein/human fetuin A with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and atherosclerosis. Reports of contribution of α2HS-glycoprotein/human fetuin A rs4917 single-nucleotide polymorphism to the development of these pathologic processes are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the association between variants of rs4917 and parameters of obesity, lipid status, the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), adipokines (adiponectin, resistin), and insulin resistance in 2 cohorts.MethodsEighty-one healthy persons (cohort 1) and 157 patients with previous myocardial infarction (cohort 2) were included in this cross-sectional study. rs4917 Polymorphism was determined by the allele-specific KASP by design genotyping assays.ResultsIn cohort 1, T-nucleotide carriers had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with non-T carriers. The serum concentration of TNF-α was found to be higher carrying the non-T allele in cohort 1; however, this difference was not observed in cohort 2. In cohort 2, T carriers had lower body mass index and abdominal and waist circumferences than did non-T carriers. The T nucleotide was more frequent in nonobese than in obese patients (χ2 = 5.217, P = 0.022). Nonobese, nondiabetic T carriers still had lower body mass index and waist circumference than did non-T carriers.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the T nucleotide in rs4917 is associated with more favorable lipid status among healthy persons (i.e., lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and anthropologic parameters of obesity in cohort 2. The protective role of the T allele may also be associated with lower TNF-α levels found in healthy individuals.