The TNF-β Gene Nco I Polymorphism Is Not Associated with Hypertriglyceridemia or Insulin Resistance in Lean and Obese Subjects

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 236; no. 3; pp. 829 - 832
• Main Authors: Fernandez-Real, J.M., Gutierrez, C., Ricant, W., Casamitjana, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 30.07.1997
• Subjects: Adult; Body Composition; Body Constitution; Body Mass Index; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - genetics; Electric Impedance; Female; Heterozygote; Homozygote; Humans; Hypertriglyceridemia - genetics; Insulin Resistance - genetics; Lymphotoxin-alpha - genetics; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity - genetics; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1997.7057

Interindividual differences in TNF-α monocyte responses can be accounted for by genetic polymorphisms at the TNF-β locus defined by theNco Irestriction enzyme. Higher triglyceride levels in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients homozygous at the 10.5-kb fragment of the TNF-β gene have been described. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the Ncol polymorphism of the TNF-β gene influences the relationship between insulin resistance and triglyceride levels. Thirty-eight healthy volunteers were divided into two groups according to the absence [homozygous for class 1 allele (1/1), n=16] or presence of the class 2 allele [n=22; 19 heterozygous (1/2), and 3 homozygous (2/2)]. Both groups were comparable in sex, age, BMI, waist/hip ratio, fat mass and percentage of body fat as measured by bioelectric impedance, skinfold measurements, and blood pressure (all p>0.05). There were no differences in serum cholesterol (total, or HDL and VLDL fractions) or in total or VLDL triglycerides between the groups (all p>0.05). The insulin sensitivity index (Minimal Model method) was comparable for the two groups. In summary, the 10.5-kb homozygous genotype of the TNF-β locus does not contribute to differences in triglyceride levels or insulin sensitivity among nondiabetic subjects.