Abstract
Introduction: Previously we found significantly higher values of the n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3n-6), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (C20:3n-6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) in plasma lipids in obese children than in nonobese controls (Decsi et al, Lipids 31: 305–311, 1996). Recently, an association between obesity, lipid metabolism disorders and the G-allele of the -866G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of uncoupling protein 2 gene (UCP2) was reported (Le Fur et al, Diabetes 53: 235–239, 2004). Here we report data on the association of the -866G/A polymorphism of UCP2 to the fatty acid composition of plasma lipids in obese children.
Subjects and methods: Obese children (n = 80, age: 13 [2.7] years, body mass index: 41.7 [4.4] kg/m2, body fat: 39.1 [4.2] %, mean [SD]) were investigated. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Fatty acids were determined by high-resolution capillary gas-liquid chromatography.
Results: The frequencies of the different genotypes were as follows: -866G/G: 42.5%, -866G/A: 42.5%, -866A/A: 15%. Anthropometric characteristics did not differ among the 3 groups. Values of eicosadienoic acid (C20:2n-6) in phospholipids and values of C20:3n-6 in sterol esters were significantly lower in children with the -866A/A genotype than in the other two groups (Table). Values of C20:3n-6 were also significantly lower in children with the -866A/A than in those with the -866G/A genotype in plasma phospholipids (Table). Table: Fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids and sterol esters in 80 obese children stratified according to genotype of the UCP2. Data are median [IQR], a, b = P < 0.05
Conclusion: In this study, we found significantly lower values of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid, an important eicosanoid precursor, in plasma lipids of -866A/A homozygote compared with -866 G/A heterozygote and -866G/G normal obese children.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bokor, S., Csernus, K., Erhardt, É. et al. 45 The -866A/A but not the -866G/A Genotype of Uncoupling Protein 2 Gene is Associated with Reduced Dihomo-Gamma-Linolenic Acid Values in Obese Children. Pediatr Res 58, 362 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00074
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00074
