Polymorphism in beta2 adrenergic receptor gene in Chinese population with obesity

Objective: To investigate the variation of beta2 adrenergic receptor (beta2 AR) gene and its association with obesity in Chinese population.

Methods: The allele of beta2 AR gene at Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu sites were analysed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) in 396 people with Han nationality in Chengdu, among whom 126 had obesity.

Results: The allele frequencies of Arg and Gly at Arg16Gly site were 0.571 and 0.429 for the obese people, and 0.559 and 0.441 for the non-obese people, respectively. The allele frequencies of Gln and Glu at Gln27Glu site were 0.920 and 0.080 for the obese people, and 0.916 and 0.084 for the non-obese people, respectively. No significant differences were found in the genotype frequencies of the two sites between non-obese and obese people. The non-obese females and obese males with genotype Arg/Arg at Arg16Gly site had elevated serum TC and LDL-C levels compared with those who carried Arg/Gly or Gly/Gly (P < 0.05). The apoB100 levels increased in the non-obese females with genotype Arg/Arg and decreased in the obese females with Arg/Gly (P < 0.05 ). The apoA I and apoA II levels decreased in the obese and non-obese males with Arg/Arg (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The polymorphism in beta2AR gene at Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu is not associated with obesity in Chinese Han population. But they may have certain degree of gender-specific impact on serum TC, LDL-C and apolipoprotein levels.