A single nucleotide polymorphism of the adenosine deaminase, RNA-specific gene is associated with the serum triglyceride level, abdominal circumference, and serum adiponectin concentration

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the adenosine deaminase, RNA-specific (ADAR) gene were reported to be associated with human longevity. There are possibilities that ADAR is associated with major risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Objective: To investigate the association between SNPs of the ADAR gene and clinical data associated with major risk factors of atherosclerotic CVD. Subjects: A total of 1504 general population residents (586 males and 918 females) of two towns, Tanno-cho and Sobestu-cho, in Hokkaido, Japan. Methods: Clinical data associated with risk factors of atherosclerotic CVD were collected from these study subjects. DNA from peripheral blood and written informed consent were obtained. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms of ADARB1 and ADARB2, which were previously reported to be associated with longevity were genotyped employing the TaqMan PCR method. The associations between SNPs in ADARB1 and ADARB2 and clinical parameters related to risk factors of atherosclerosis were analyzed. Results: On uni- and multivariate analyses, rs2805533 in ADARB2 was significantly associated with the abdominal circumference, body mass index, serum triglyceride level, and serum adiponectin level. The subjects with the AA genotype of rs2805533 had a greater abdominal circumference, higher body mass index, higher triglyceride level, and lower adiponectin level than those with AG and GG genotypes. Conclusion: The SNP in ADARB2 related to longevity is associated with metabolic disorders. This finding suggests that genetic factors modulate human longevity via the regulation of metabolic factors such as abdominal obesity and lipid profiles. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.