Common polymorphism in the cannabinoid receptor gene type 2 (CB2R) rs3123554 are associated with metabolic changes...

The role of CB2R gene variants on weight loss after a dietary intervention has been investigated in few studies.

We evaluate the effect of this genetic variant (rs3123554) of CB2R gene on cardiovascular risk factors and weight loss secondary to high monounsaturated fat vs a high polyunsaturated fat hypocaloric diets.

A Caucasian population of 362 obese patients was enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated during 3 months to one of two diets (Diet P high polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fat hypocaloric diet vs, Diet M high monounsaturated (MUFAs) fat hypocaloric diet).

In both genotype groups (GG vs GA+AA), body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure decreased after diet P and M. Body weight, BMI, fat mass and waist circumference were higher in A allele carriers than non A allele carriers. The improvement of these parameters was higher in non A allele carriers than A allele carriers. In non A allele carriers with both diets, the decrease of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, insulin and HOMA-IR was higher than A allele carriers after both diets. After diet P, triglyceride levels decrease in non A allele carriers.

Our data suggest that carriers of the minor allele of rs3123554 variant of CB2R gene lose less body weight during to different hypocaloric diets with different fatty acid. Moreover, non A-allele carriers showed a better response of LDL-cholesterol, HOMA-IR and insulin levels than A-carriers with both hypocaloric diets.