Association of the rs9939609 gene variant in FTO with insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk factor and serum adipokine levels in obese patients.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship of the rs9939609 FTO gene polymorphism with insulin resistance and serum adipokine levels.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A population of 610 patients with obesity was analyzed in a cross sectional design. Weight, blood pressure, basal glucose, c-reactive protein (CRP), insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA), lipid profile and adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, TNF alpha, and interleukin 6) levels were measured.

RESULTS: Insulin (122.2 ± 101.8 pmol/L vs. 104.5 ± 61.5 pmol/L vs.112.1 ± 74.3 pmol/L:p < 0.05) and HOMA-IR values (4.76 ± 4.4 vs. 3.71 ± 2.5 vs.3.76 ± 3.1;p < 0.05) were higher in TT group than AT and AA groups. Triglycerides values were higher in TT group than AA group (1.42 ± 0.71 mmol/L vs.1.39 ± 0.69 mmol/L vs.1.23 ± 0.64 mmol/L;p < 0.05). Adiponectin levels were lower in TT genotype group than AA genotype group (35801.2 ± 35,912.3 ng/L vs.26,718.1 ± 36,323.1 ng/L vs. 21,112.3 ± 25,623.1 ng/L p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The FTO gene polymorphism, rs9939609, was found to be associated with insulin resistance, insulin, triglyceride and adiponectin levels in obese patients with TT variant.