Comparison of body fat distribution and blood lipid profiles according to Trp64Arg polymorphism for the β3-adrenergic receptor gene in Korean middle-aged women

The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an association between body fat distribution, blood lipid profiles, and beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism in Korean middle-aged women. Subjects were grouped according to BMI as obese (>= 25 BMI, n=95) ornon-obese (BMI < 25, n=93). TheTrp64Arg mutation of the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene was detected by PCR-RFLP. Skinfold thickness, body circumference, intra-abdominal fat area by CT, and blood lipid profiles were also measured. Data were compared using ANCIVA, Bonferroni t-test, and Chi-square. Significance for statistical analyses were set at p < 0.05. In the obese group, 63.16% were Trp64Trp homozygotes and 36.84% were Trp64Arg heterozygotes, compared to 80.65% who were Trp64Trp homozygotes and 19.35% who were Trp64Arg heterozygotes in the non-obese group. These results indicated a significant (X=4.943, p < 0.05) difference between the two groups. Frequency of the Arg64 allelc in the obese group (16.84%) showed a significant (chi(2) =4.185, p < 0.05) difference as compared to the non-obese group (9.68%). Skinfold thickness and body circumference of the Trp64Arg heterozygote group showed a consistent increase as compared to the Trp64Trp homozygote group. Visceral fat area and VSR of Trp64Arg heterozygote group showed a higher tendency than Trp64Trp homozygotes in the obese group, but these differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene is associated with obesity in middle-aged Korean women, but it is difficult to suggest the prominent association of the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene with prevalence of abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia in Korean middle-aged women.