Association between polymorphisms in candidate genes and morbid obesity

Polymorphisms in a number of candidate genes have been reported to be associated with obesity. We have determined the incidence of the following polymorphisms in the following candidate genes in a group of 388 morbid obese patients (mean body mass index (BMI) 52±8.01) who underwent gastric banding surgery: lipoprotein lipase (LpL) t-93 g and N291S; peroxisome proliferator receptor γ (PPARγ), P12A, P115Q and c1431t; peroxisome proliferator receptor α (PPARα) L162V; β-adrenergic receptor 2 (β-AR 2), Q27E; β-adrenergic receptor 3 (β-AR 3) W64R; uncoupling protein 1 (ucp-1), a-3826g, ucp-2, 45 bp insertion. Only for the ucp2 polymorphism did we find a statistically significant association with obesity. The β-AR 3 W64R and ucp-1 a-3826g polymorphisms influenced the rate of the development of obesity and may act synergistically.