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A polymorphism in the adiponectin gene influences adiponectin expression levels in visceral fat in obese subjects

International Journal of Obesity volume 30, pages 226–232 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Reduced serum adiponectin levels have been found in obesity and type 2 diabetes and variations in the adiponectin gene (APM1) have been associated with type 2 diabetes and features of the metabolic syndrome in different populations.

Study Design:

Here, we investigated the expression of APM1 in adipose tissue and studied the relationship between variation in APM1 expression, the APM1 G276T polymorphism, the common PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism and clinical features of 36 morbidly obese (body mass index (BMI) 41.5±4.9 kg/m2) nondiabetic subjects.

Results:

APM1 mRNA expression in visceral fat was correlated with serum adiponectin levels (r=0.54, P=0.012). In visceral, but not in subcutaneous, adipose tissue APM1 mRNA level was 38% higher among carriers of the APM1 G276T T allele (G/T and T/T) than among carriers of the G/G genotype (0.91±0.06 for G/T and T/T carriers vs 0.66±0.09 for G/G carriers, P=0.013). Carriers of the T allele also had significantly higher body fat percent compared to G/G carriers (65±6 vs 56±10%, P=0.011).

Conclusion:

Our results indicate that genetic variation in APM1 influences the expression of the gene in visceral adipose tissue and suggest a potential role for such variation in regulation of body fat accumulation in obese subjects.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Grants from the Foundation for Strategic Research through the National Network for Cardiovascular Research, the Swedish Foundation for the Study of Diabetes, the Albert Påhlssons Foundation, the Swedish Medical Research Council, Malmö University Hospital Foundation, the Ernhold Lundström Foundation, the Anna-Lisa and Sven-Eric Lundgren Foundation, the Crafoord Foundation, the Lundberg Foundation, the Magnus Bergvall Foundation, the Fredrik and Ingrid Thurings Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (Sankyo Pharma).

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  1. Department of Clinical Sciences/Diabetes and Endocrinology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Wallenberg Laboratory, Malmö, Sweden

    J Fredriksson, E Carlsson, M Orho-Melander, L Groop & M Ridderstråle

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Correspondence to J Fredriksson.

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Fredriksson, J., Carlsson, E., Orho-Melander, M. et al. A polymorphism in the adiponectin gene influences adiponectin expression levels in visceral fat in obese subjects. Int J Obes 30, 226–232 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803138

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