Association of A-604G ghrelin gene polymorphism and serum ghrelin levels with the risk of obesity in a mexican population

• Published in: Molecular biology reports Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 289 - 293
• Main Authors: Llamas-Covarrubias, Iris Monserrat, Llamas-Covarrubias, Mara Anaís, Martinez-López, Erika, Zepeda-Carrillo, Eloy Alfonso, Rivera-León, Edgar Alfonso, Palmeros-Sánchez, Beatriz, Alcalá-Zermeño, Juan Luis, Sánchez-Enríquez, Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.07.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Alleles; Animal Anatomy; Animal Biochemistry; Appetite; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Body composition; Enzyme immunoassay; Etiology; Female; Gene polymorphism; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype & phenotype; Ghrelin; Ghrelin - blood; Ghrelin - genetics; Hispanic people; Histology; Humans; Hunger; Life Sciences; Male; Metabolic disorders; Metabolism; Mexico; Middle Aged; Morphology; Obesity; Obesity - blood; Obesity - genetics; Original Article; Polymerase chain reaction; Polymorphism; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Risk factors; Single-nucleotide polymorphism; Obesity; Ghrelin; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 0301-4851; 1573-4978
• DOI: 10.1007/s11033-017-4109-0

Obesity is a metabolic disorder that has a multifactorial etiology and affects millions of people worldwide. Ghrelin, a hormone coded by the GHRL gene, plays a role in human body composition and appetite. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GHRL gene have been associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. To evaluate the association of A-604G SNP of GHRL promoter region with serum ghrelin levels and the risk of obesity in a Mexican population. Two hundred and fifty individuals were enrolled and classified as obese or control subjects (CS) according to BMI. DNA samples, anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were obtained from all subjects. The A-604G SNP was genotyped using PCR-RFLPs technique. Ghrelin levels were measured using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. The G/G genotype was more frequent among obese individuals (p < 0.0001) when compared to CS. The G/A genotype and A allele were associated with protection against obesity (OR 0.29, p < 0.0001; OR 0.39, p < 0.0001 respectively), the A allele remained significant after adjusting for age and gender (OR: 0.25, p < 0.0001). Serum ghrelin levels were higher in obese patients (p = 0.004) than in CS, however, significance was lost after adjustment for age (p = 0.088). The G/G genotype was associated with higher levels of serum ghrelin (p = 0.02) independently of the effect of age. The G/G genotype of the A-604G SNP in the GHRL gene is associated with altered serum ghrelin levels and obesity. The A allele was also associated with protection against obesity in this study.