Association between leptin receptor (LEPR) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene variants and obesity: a case-control study

Introduction: Human and animal studies provide evidence for a relevant role of the leptin receptor (LEPR) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes in energy homeostasis. Aim: To assess the association between human LEPR and BDNF genetic variants with adult obesity. Design and methods: Case-control study in Pamplona (Navarra, Spain) with adult obese subjects (n = 159) and normal weight controls (n = 154) Four common polymorphisms of the LEPR gene (Lys109Arg, Gln223Arg, Ser34Ser, Lys656Asn) and 17 variants of the BDNF gene, including the Val66Met variant, were genotyped. Results: No significant case-control differences were found in allele/genotype frequencies after adjusting for relevant co-variates. Haplotype analysis did not detect any significant association between LEPR or BDNF variants and obesity. No associations were found between LEPR variants and serum leptin levels. Conclusions: Our results do not support a major role of LEPR or BDNF common polymorphisms in multifactorial adult obesity.