Influence of different CLA isomers on insulin resistance and adipocytokines in pre-diabetic, middle-aged men with PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are natural PPARγ ligands, which showed conflicting effects on metabolism in humans. We examined metabolic effects of different isomers of CLA in subjects with PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphisms. A total of 35 men underwent four intervention periods in a crossover study design: subjects with either genotypes received c9, t11 CLA or t10, c12 CLA, a commercially available 1:1 mix of both isomers or reference oil (linoleic acid (LA)). Adipocytokines, insulin, glucose and triglycerides were assessed in the fasting state and after a standardized mixed meal. Across all genotypes, there was a significant (p = 0.025) CLA treatment effect upon postprandial (pp) HOMA-IR values, with c9, t11 CLA and CLA isomer mix improving, but t10, c12 CLA isomer worsening. In Ala12Ala subjects, the t10, c12 isomer caused weight gain (p = 0.03) and tended to increase postprandial insulin levels (p = 0.05). In Pro12Pro subjects, t10, c12 resulted in reduction in waist circumference (p = 0.03). The comparison of the different genotype groups revealed statistically different changes in fasting and postprandial insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin after intervention. c9, t11 CLA and the commercial CLA mix showed beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity compared with LA, while t10, c12 CLA adversely affects body weight and insulin sensitivity in different PPAR genotypes. CLA isomers have different effects on metabolism in Ala and Pro carriers.     

G allele of the −930A>G polymorphism of the CYBA gene is associated with insulin resistance in obese subjects

It has been shown that NADPH oxidase plays a role in oxidative stress which has been involved in the development of metabolic syndrome. The ?930A/G polymorphism of the CYBA gene (that codes p22phox, a major component of the NADPH oxidase) has been associated with human hypertension and with a reduction in NADPH oxidase activity. In this work, we have examined the influence of the ?930A/G polymorphism on obesity risk and insulin resistance in a case-control study of Spanish subjects (n=313). In the obese group (n=159), there was a statistically significant association between the GG genotype of the ?930A/G polymorphism of the CYBA gene and fasting insulin levels and HOMA index. This outcome agrees with previous findings concerning functional analyses of this polymorphism and reinforces the hypothesis that insulin resistance is associated with oxidative stress. In conclusion, a protective effect in carriers of the ?930A/G, polymorphism of the p22phox gene against insulin resistance in a population of Spanish obese adults has been found.     

D2 Thr92Ala and PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphisms interact in the modulation of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients

Type 2 deiodinase (D2) converts T4 into its active metabolite T3, an essential step in thyroid metabolism. A Thr92Ala polymorphism in the gene encoding D2 has been inconsistently associated with insulin resistance (IR). Recently, it was reported that the D2 Thr92Ala (rs225014) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ2 Pro12Ala (rs1801282) polymorphisms interact in the modulation of metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic subjects. Here, we investigated the effect of both polymorphisms, isolated or in combination, on IR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The D2 Thr92Ala and PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphisms were genotyped in 721 DM2 patients. IR was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA(IR)) index in a subgroup of 246 DM2 subjects. The frequencies of D2 Ala92 and PPARγ2 Ala12 variants were 0.390 and 0.074, respectively. Patients carrying D2 Ala/Ala genotype had a higher fasting plasma insulin and HOMA(IR) index as compared to patients carrying Thr/Ala or Thr/Thr genotypes (P = 0.022 and P = 0.001, respectively). A significant synergistic effect was observed between D2 Thr92Ala and PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphisms on HOMA(IR) index, with carriers of both D2 Ala/Ala genotype and PPARγ2 Ala12 allele showing the highest HOMA(IR) values, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and use of medication for DM2 (P = 0.010). In conclusion, DM2 patients harboring both D2 Ala/Ala genotype and PPARγ2 Ala12 allele seem to present more severe IR than those with other D2/PPARγ2 genotype combinations. These findings suggest that these polymorphisms interact in the IR modulation, which may constitute a potential therapeutic target.     

Effects of Pro12Ala polymorphism in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 gene on metabolic syndrome risk: A meta-analysis

Background

Associations between peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2) gene polymorphism and metabolic syndrome risk remained controversial and ambiguous. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the association between Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPARγ2 gene and metabolic syndrome susceptibility.

Methods

An electronic literature search was conducted on Medline, OVID, Cochrane Library database, and the China National Knowledge Internet up to March 2013. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the strength of association in the fixed or random effects model.

Results

Ten studies involving a total of 4456 cases and 10343 controls were included in this meta-analysis. No statistical evidence of association was found between Pro12Ala polymorphism and metabolic syndrome risk in all genetic models (homozygote model: OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.62–1.12; heterozygote model: OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.94–1.14; dominant model: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.93–1.12; recessive model: OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.62–1.11). No statistical evidence of significant association was observed when stratified by ethnicity, definition of metabolic syndrome, source of control groups and quality score of the selected articles. All in all, the results did not support a major role of the Pro12Ala variant of the PPARγ2 gene in metabolic syndrome risk.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggested that the effect of Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPARγ2 gene may not be related to metabolic syndrome as an entity. However, Pro12Ala may affect the single component of metabolic syndrome. A large, well designed study is required to more adequately assess the role for Pro12Ala polymorphism on metabolic syndrome.     

Association of MTHFR and PPARγ2 gene polymorphisms in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus cases among north Indian population

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial and polygenic disease, which is considered as a major life threatening problem all over the world. There has been a worldwide effort in the identification of susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. At present, adequate data is not available dealing with MTHFR (rs1801133) and PPARγ2 (rs1801282) gene polymorphisms and its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus cases among north Indian populations. Thus, we conceived the need for further studies to investigate MTHFR and PPARγ2 gene polymorphisms and their susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in north Indian population.

Materials and methods

In this study, a total 175 subjects including 87 type 2 diabetes mellitus cases and 88 controls were enrolled. MTHFR and PPARγ2 gene polymorphisms in the cases and controls were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP).

Results

The MTHFR gene CC, CT, TT genotype frequencies obtained were 40%, 43%, and 17% in type 2 diabetes mellitus cases and 56%, 29%, and 15% in healthy controls respectively. The OR for CC was 0.54 (95%CI 0.29–0.98, P = 0.041, χ2 = 4.18, power = 0.98), for CT 1.76 (95%CI 0.94–3.30, P = 0.07, χ2 = 3.2, power = 0.96), and for TT 1.2 (95%CI 0.53–2.70, P = 0.66, χ2 = 0.198, power = 0.76). The PPARγ2 gene GG CG, CC genotype frequencies obtained were 28%, 41%, and 31% in cases and 40%, 39%, and 21% in healthy controls respectively. OR for GG was 0.58 (95%CI 0.30–1.09, P = 0.08, χ2 = 2.9, power = 0.96), for CG 1.12 (95%CI 0.61–2.05, P = 0.71, χ2 = 0.137, power = 0.778), and for CC 1.63 (95%CI 0.82–3.23, P = 0.156, χ2 = 2.01, power = 0.92).

Conclusion

It might be recommended that MTHFR CC genotype seems to be a good marker for the early identification of population at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. While we have detected significant difference in allelic frequencies of PPARγ2 C (Proline) and G (Alanine), but at genotypic level significant difference was not detected in this case–control study. Further study with larger groups may be required to validate the study.     

Association between PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism and myocardial infarction and obesity in Han Chinese in Hohhot, China

Activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor g (PPARg) improves insulin sensitivity and inhibits atherosclerosis. Whether PPARg2 Pro12Ala polymorphism affects myocardial infarction is not clearly understood. We investigated a possible association of PPARg2 Pro12Ala polymorphism with obesity and myocardial infarction in Han Chinese in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China. We included 121 subjects with myocardial infarction and 137 healthy controls in our study. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. The following information was recorded for each subject: age, gender, body height, body weight, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure; the body mass index was calculated. PCR-RFLP was used to examine Pro12Ala polymorphism. There were significant differences in clinical characteristics between myocardial infarction patients and healthy controls, except for diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides. The PP, PA/AA genotype frequencies were 88.4 and 11.6% in myocardial infarction patients and 95.6 and 4.4% in controls, respectively (P = 0.031). Individuals with the A allele had a significantly higher risk of myocardial infarction. The A allele was not an independent risk factor for obesity. We conclude that PPARg2 Pro12Ala polymorphisms are associated with increased risk for myocardial infarction in Han Chinese in Hohhot.     

Correlation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR-γ) mRNA Expression with Pro12Ala Polymorphism in Obesity

Our study aimed to analyze whether the expression of PPARγ mRNA in subcutaneous adipocyte tissue correlates with Pro12Ala PPARγ2 polymorphism in the obesity context. We found that mRNA expression of PPARγ in subcutaneous adipose tissue was greater in obese subjects (P < 0.05) than in the nonobese control group. Concurrently, genotyping of the Pro12Ala polymorphism showed that obese subjects possess a significantly higher frequency of the Pro/Pro genotype than nonobese controls (90.5 vs 79.5%; P = 0.03), suggesting that this genotype is involved in an increased risk of obesity in the Tunisian population. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the Pro12 allele is accompanied by an overexpression of PPARγ mRNA in subcutaneous adipocyte tissue, suggesting that the PPARγ Pro12Ala variant may contribute to the observed variability in PPARγ mRNA expression and consequently in body mass index and insulin sensitivity in the general population.     

Molecular & biochemical analysis of Pro12Ala variant of PPAR-γ2 gene in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes has emerged as a major threat to human life globally. Genomic studies have found a significant link between the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-γ2 gene with incidence as well as occurrence of the risk of metabolic syndrome. The present study was aimed at assessing the PPAR-γ2 variant in an Asian Indian cohort of type 2 diabetes patients and its correlation with metabolic parameters. The present case-control study involved 100 type 2 diabetic patients and 100 asymptomatic healthy volunteers enrolled in random. Assessment of demographic factors and biochemical parameters were done for all enrolled. In addition, genotyping for the Pro12Ala (CCA to GCA) polymorphism was done by polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology. The genotyping study detected the frequency of the CC genotype (Pro12Pro) to be higher in frequency in comparison to the heterozygous CG genotype in both, cases and controls. The homozygous GG genotype (Ala12Ala) was not detected in any of the cases or controls assessed. Biochemical analysis of the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) detected a significant increase (p < 0.0001). Additionally, increase in levels of fasting and postprandial glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and parameters of the liver and renal function tests were detected. This study detected the PPAR-γ2 to be a significant biomarker for type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Is CD36 gene polymorphism in region encoding lipid-binding domain associated with early onset CAD?

CD36 is a fatty acid translocase in striated muscle cells and cardiomyocytes. Some study suggested that alterations in CD36 gene may be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. The aim of the current study was to compare the frequency of CD36 variants in region encoding lipid-binding domain in Caucasian patients with early-onset CAD, no-CAD adult controls and neonates. The study group comprised 100 patients with early onset CAD. The genetic control groups were 306 infants and 40 no-CAD adults aged over 70 years. Exons 4, 5 and 6 including fragments of flanking introns were studied using the denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography technique and direct sequencing. Changes detected in analyzed fragment of CD36: IVS3-6 T/C (rs3173798), IVS4-10 G/A (rs3211892), C311T (Thr104Ile, not described so far) in exon 5, G550A (Asp184Asn, rs138897347), C572T (Pro191Leu, rs143150225), G573A (Pro191Pro, rs5956) and A591T (Thr197Thr, rs141680676) in exon 6. No significant differences in the CD36 genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies were found between the three groups. Only borderline differences (p = 0.066) were found between early onset CAD patients and newborns in the frequencies of 591T allele (2.00% vs 0.50%) and CGCGCGT haplotype (2.00% vs 0.50%) with both IVS3-6C and 591T variant alleles. In conclusion, CD36 variants: rs3173798, rs3211892, rs138897347, rs5956, rs143150225 rs141680676 and C311T do not seem to be involved in the risk of early-onset CAD in Caucasian population.     

A functional polymorphism in interleukin-1α (IL1A) gene is associated with risk of alopecia areata in Chinese populations

Alopecia areata (AA) is an inflammatory hair loss disorder with a major genetic component, which may cause great psychosocial distress for those affected. Studies have shown that interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a very potent inducer of hair loss and a significant human hair growth inhibitor. The 4-bp insertion/deletion (Indel) polymorphism (rs3783553) within the 3′ untranslated regions of IL1A gene has been suggested to be associated with risk of various types of cancers, possibly through regulating expression of IL-1α levels. In the current study, we estimated the susceptibility to AA associated with rs3783553 in two independent case–control panels of Eastern and Southern Chinese populations, totally containing 313 AA cases and 626 healthy controls. Logistic regression analysis showed that the heterozygote and the homozygote 4-bp ins/ins confer a significantly lower risk of AA in both panels and total subjects [odds ratio (OR) = 0.55, 95% confidence interval (C.I.) = 0.41–0.75, P = 6.24 × 10^− 5; OR = 0.47, 95% C.I. = 0.28–0.76, P = 0.001, respectively]. Stratification analysis based on age onset showed that the protective roles of ins/del and ins/ins genotype against developing AA was more obvious in AA patients with early age onset (< 30 years) under dominant model (OR = 0.48, 95% C.I. = 0.29–0.77, P = 0.001). The results of luciferase assay showed that rs3783553 could influence expression of IL-1α in a miR-122 dependant manner. Taken together, our results suggested that the IL1A 4-bp indel polymorphism may be a marker for genetic susceptibility to patchy (mild) AA in Chinese populations, likely through miR-122 mediated regulation.     

An insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region of β-transducin repeat-containing protein (βTrCP) is associated with susceptibility for hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an epithelial cancer which originates from hepatocytes or their progenitors. As a positive regulator of NFκB signaling pathway, β-transducin repeat-containing protein (βTrCP) is overexpressed and oncogenic in epithelial cancers, suggesting a potential role of βTrCP in HCC susceptibility. We carried out a case-control study in a Chinese population (256 cases and 367 controls) to estimate the susceptibility to HCC associated with a 9 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs16405) in 3′ untranslated region of βTrCP. Using unconditional logistic regression, we found that 9N del/del and 9N ins/del genotypes were significantly associated with decreased HCC risk: OR = 0.44 (0.24-0.83) (p = 0.004) and OR = 0.56 (0.31-1.00) (p = 0.034), respectively. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that mRNA levels of βTrCP from HCC tumor tissues were correlated with rs16405 genotypes. HCC tumor tissues with homozygous for 9N ins/ins has the highest level of βTrCP, which are 3.99 and 7.04-fold higher than heterozygous 9N ins/del and homozygous 9N del/del, respectively. Based on bioinformatics prediction, we found that the risk allele for rs16405 disrupted a binding site for human microRNA-920 which would negatively regulate βTrCP. We propose a microRNA-920 mediated βTrCP regulation model depending on rs16405 genotype, which warrants further replication association studies and follow-up functional experiments.     

The Pro12Ala Polymorphism in the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma-2 Gene (PPARγ2) Is Associated with Increased Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Contradictory results have been reported regarding the association between Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPARγ2 and coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to estimate the inconsistent results by performing a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Methods

Studies in English or Chinese publications were identified by screening MEDLINE, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang and CBM. 22 studies including 8948 cases and 14427 controls were selected. A random-effects model was applied to combine the divergent outcomes of the individual studies, while addressing between-study heterogeneity and publication bias.

Results

The Pro12Ala polymorphism of control population followed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for all studies (P>0.05). Overall, a marginal increased risk of CAD under the recessive genetic model (AlaAla vs ProAla+ProPro: P = 0.04, OR = 1.31, 95%CI 1.01–1.69, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.67, I² = 0%) and the homozygote comparison (AlaAla vs ProPro: P = 0.04,OR = 1.30, 95%CI 1.01–1.68, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.68, I² = 0%) was observed. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, carriers of AlaAla homozygotes had a significant increased risk for CAD among Caucasians (AlaAla vs ProAla+ProPro: P = 0.01, OR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.08–1.96, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.48, I² = 0%; AlaAla vs ProPro: P = 0.02,OR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.07–1.93, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.46, I² = 0%). After dividing into population source, the CAD risk magnitude of hospital-based studies was distinctly strengthened under the recessive model (P = 0.03,OR = 1.85,95%CI 1.07–3.19, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.87,I² = 0%) and the homozygote comparison (P = 0.03,OR = 1.83, 95%CI 1.06–3.16, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.88, I² = 0%). There was no observable publication bias as reflected by funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression test (t = -0.12, P = 0.91).

Conclusion:

Our results demonstrated that the PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism might be risk-conferring locus for the progression of CAD among Caucasians, but not among Asians.     

Is expression of aquaporins (plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2s, PIP2s) associated with thermonasty (leaf-curling) in Rhododendron?

It is postulated that leaf thermonasty (leaf curling) in rhododendrons under sub-freezing temperatures is caused by water redistribution due to extracellular freezing. We hypothesize that aquaporins (AQPs), the transmembrane water-channels, may be involved in regulating water redistribution and thus leaf curling. Our experimental system includes two Rhododendron species with contrasting leaf curling behavior whereby it was observed in R. catawbiense but not in R. ponticum. We compared leaf movements and the expression of two AQPs, i.e. R. catawbiense/ponticum plasma-membrane intrinsic protein 2 (Rc/RpPIP2;1 and Rc/RpPIP2;2), in the two species under freezing–rewarming and dehydration–rehydration cycles. To determine the relationship between extracellular freezing and leaf-curling, we monitored leaf-curling in R. catawbiense with or without controlled ice-nucleation. Our data indicate that extracellular freezing may be required for leaf curling. Moreover, in both species, PIP2s were up-regulated at temperatures that fell in ice-nucleation temperature range. Such up-regulation could be associated with the bulk-water efflux caused by extracellular freezing. When leaves were frozen beyond the ice-nucleation temperature range, PIP2s were continuously down-regulated in R. catawbiense along with the progressive leaf curling, as also observed for RcPIP2;2 in dehydrated leaves; as leaves uncurled during re-warming/rehydration, RcPIP2 expression was restored. On the other hand, R. ponticum, a non-curling species, exhibited substantial up-regulation of RpPIP2s during freezing/dehydration. Taken together, our data suggest that RcPIP2 down-regulation was associated with leaf curling. Moreover, the contrasting PIP2 expression patterns combined with leaf behavior of R. catawbiense and R. ponticum under these two cycles may reflect different strategies employed by these two species to tolerate/resist cellular dehydration.     

Association of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ gene with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Asian Indians residing in north India

Background

Genetics of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) in Asian Indians has been inadequately studied. We investigated the association of polymorphisms C161T and Pro12Ala of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) with clinical and biochemical parameters in Asian Indians with NAFLD.

Methods

In this case–control study, 162 NAFLD cases and 173 controls were recruited. Abdominal ultrasound, clinical and biochemical profiles, fasting insulin levels and value of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were determined. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphisms of two polymorphisms were performed. The association of these polymorphisms with clinical and biochemical parameters was analysed.

Results

Higher frequency of Ala and T alleles of PPARγ was obtained in cases. Ala/Ala genotype of PPARγ (Pro12Ala) was associated with significantly higher serum triglycerides (TG), alkaline phosphatase (ALK) and waist–hip ratio in cases as compared to controls. In C161T polymorphism, TT genotype was significantly increased TG (p = 0.04), total cholesterol (p = 0.01), ALK (p = 0.04) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (p = 0.007) in cases. The linkage disequilibrium for these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of PPARγ was differed in cases (D1 = 0.1; p = 0.006) and controls (D1 = 0.07; p = 0.1). Using a multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, sex and body mass index, the presence of NAFLD was linked to these two polymorphisms (odds ratio 1.64 (95% CI: 1.09–2.45, p = 0.05)].

Conclusion

Asian Indians in north India carrying the alleles Ala and T of PPARγ (Pro12Ala and C161T) polymorphisms are predisposed to develop NAFLD.     

The C161T polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene (PPARγ) is associated with risk of coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis

The researches attempting to associate the PPARγ C161T polymorphism with coronary artery disease (CAD) yielded complicated and contradictory results. We aimed for more precise estimate of the relationship and conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis. Publications written in English or Chinese were screened in MEDLINE, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang and CBM. Data on 11 studies including 3,020 cases and 2,853 controls were extracted. A random-effects model was available to synthesize the inconsistent outcomes of the individual studies, while addressing between-study heterogeneity and publication bias. The PPARγ C161T polymorphism followed Hard-Weinberg Equilibrium for all studies (P > 0.05).Overall, there was no evidence for a significant association under all genetic models but with distinct heterogeneity (T vs. C: P = 0.29, OR = 0.91, 95 %CI 0.77–1.08, P _{heterogeneity} = 0.004, I ² = 61.2 %). However, in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the T allele carriers showed a prominent 26 % risk reduction of CAD among Chinese (dominant genetic model: P = 0.03, 95 %CI 0.57–0.97, P _{heterogeneity} = 0.03, I ² = 56.1 %). After dividing into population source, the significance of CAD risk reduction was strengthened in hospital-based studies (allele comparison: P = 0.04, OR = 0.82, 95 %CI 0.67–1.00, P _{heterogeneity} = 0.04, I ² = 52.5 %; dominant model: P = 0.01, OR = 0.73, 95 %CI 0.57–0.92, P _{heterogeneity} = 0.05, I ² = 50.8 %). There was no obvious publication bias verified in the method of funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression test (t = ?0.11, P = 0.913). Taken together, our results revealed the PPARγ C161T polymorphism might play a moderate protective effect on developing CAD among Chinese, but not among Caucasians.