Bradykinin B2 receptor gene C-58T polymorphism and insulin resistance. A study on obese patients

The bradykinin B2 receptor (B2R) gene is a candidate in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, which often clusters with other abnormalities in metabolic syndrome. We investigated the distribution of the C-58T B2R gene polymorphism within a population of overweight/obese patients (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) potentially characterised by different levels of insulin resistance. Patients with type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension were excluded in order to distinguish the effect of obesity on insulin sensitivity from that of confounding factors. Ninety-two unrelated adults (41 men and 51 women, aged 33.7 +/- 11.6 years) were recruited by random sampling from a general population evaluated for cardiovascular risk stratification. Measurements included BMI, waist circumference, body composition, blood pressure, serum leptin, and lipid profile. Insulin sensitivity was calculated according to the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method. C-58T genotypes--CC (n = 20), CT (n = 47) and TT (n = 25)--were determined by restriction fragment-length polymorphism PCR. Patients subdivided on the basis of C-58T polymorphism, showed no difference in any of the parameters examined, including HOMA index values, after adjustment for age, sex, BMI and waist circumference. The results indicate that the C-58T B2R gene polymorphism is not associated with different levels of insulin resistance within a population of obese patients.