Lack of association between a human β-2 adrenoceptor gene polymorphism (gln27glu) and morbid obesity (original) (raw)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of the gln27glu polymorphism in the β-2 adrenoceptor gene in patients with morbid obesity.

SUBJECTS: 243 patients with morbid obesity (mean body mass index 51.6) and 199 healthy blood donors.

RESULTS: The same frequency, 0.42, of the glu allele was observed in both groups. Neither the incidence in obese women (0.41, _n_=197) compared to control women (0.43, _n_=61), nor that in obese men (0.44, _n_=46) compared to control men (0.41, _n_=138) was significantly different. The difference in frequency between obese men and women, 0.44 vs 0.41 was not significant (_P_=0.68). Genotype information from the families of 18 of the obese patients showed no association between the glu27 allele and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS: We find no evidence for a role of the glu27 variant in the β-2 adrenoceptor gene in the development of morbid obesity.