Association Between a Glucokinase Regulator Genetic Variant and Metabolic Syndrome in Taiwanese Adolescents

Aims: Variants of the glucokinase regulator (GCKR) gene are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The present study explored the association between a common variant of this gene and MetS and its related traits in Taiwanese adolescents. Methods: The frequency of MetS and its features were compared between subjects (n=962; 468 male, 494 female) with different genotypes or alleles of the GCKR rs780094 single-nucleotide polymorphism. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to explore the interdependence of MetS and metabolic traits. Results: Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and MetS were more prevalent in subjects with the T compared to the C allele of rs780094 (p=0.009 and 0.044, respectively). T-genotype carriers also exhibited a higher frequency of low HDL-C levels (p=0.028) than noncarriers, although MetS frequency was similar between the two groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, the odds ratios for low HDL-C levels and MetS incidence in T-genotype carriers were 1.64 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.53) and 2.79 (95% CI: 1.09-7.11), respectively. Conclusions: The GCKR rs780094 polymorphism is associated with low HDL-C levels and MetS incidence in Taiwanese adolescents.