Association Between Eight Adiponectin Polymorphisms, Obesity, and Metabolic Syndrome Parameters in Tunisian Volunteers

Background: Adiponectin is a plasma protein produced by the adipose tissue, with insulin sensibility, antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic properties. Many adiponectin gene polymorphisms have been described, and their implication in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases was controversial. Our aim was to study the relationship between eight adiponectin polymorphisms (-1391G/A, -1377C/G, 4522C/T, 395 G/A, 276G/T, 639C/T, 45T/G, and + 2019delA), metabolic syndrome parameters, and the risk of obesity in Tunisian volunteers. Methods: We have recruited 169 nonobese [sex ratio = 0.594, mean age 43.25 -13.12 years; mean body mass index (BMI) 24.73 -3.50 kg/m(2)] and 160 obese (BMI >= 30 kg/m(2)) (sex ratio = 0.221, mean age 48.41-10.92 years; mean BMI 36.6-4.8 kg/m(2)). Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Glucose, insulin, and lipids were measured. BMI and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. Results: The polymorphisms 276G/T, 639 C/T, 11391 G/A, 11374C/G, and + 2019delA seem to contribute to obesity. In fact, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of obesity associated with mutated genotypes of each polymorphism were, respectively: OR= 0.64, P = 0.039; OR= 1.85, P = 0.018; OR= 1.68, P = 0.044; OR= 1.77, P = 0.038; and OR= 1.94, P = 0.010). Mutated genotypes at 639 C/T were associated with higher waist circumference, BMI, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In addition, the 11391AA genotype was associated with increased BMI. Concerning 2019delA, the delAdelA genotype was associated with increased HOMA-IR and BMI, suggesting a possible effect of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on insulin resistance parameters. Mutated genotypes at 276G/T were associated with lower serum insulin concentration and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The other genotypes showed no association with metabolic syndrome parameters. Conclusion: Adiponectin gene polymorphisms were associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome parameters in Tunisian volunteers.