Association between leptin gene G-2548A polymorphism with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a serious public health problem. It is an important risk factor of cardiovascular disease in developed countries. Adipose tissue considered as an organ that releases a variety of molecules referred to adipocytokines such as leptin. Polymorphism of their related genes may play an important role in development of MetS. The aim of this study was to determine the association of leptin gene-2548G/A (LEP-2548G/A) polymorphism with lipid profile in subjects with and without Mets.

In this case/control study a frequency of LEP-2548G/A single nucleotide polymorphism was determined between 200 patients (142 women and 58 men) and 200 controls (122 women and 78 men). Both groups were selected randomly from Hamadan city, Iran. Blood samples were collected then followed by routine biochemical analysis, DNA extraction and serum leptin measurements. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to identify LEP-2548G/A genotypes. Statistical analyses were applied using SPSS software version 10. Continuous variables were presented as means± SD and compared by independent sample t-test. Variables without normal distribution compared through Mann-Whitney U test.

In both groups, a significant difference was observed between biochemical factors and leptin concentration. Serum leptin concentration was more in females than males. No statistical significant difference was detected in the frequency of LEP-2548G/A polymorphism between both MetS and healthy groups.

In summary, it is concluded that frequency of LEP G-2548A polymorphism in Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and healthy subjects was not significantly different and more research with large sample size is needed in this area.