ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: An increasing number of lifestyle disorders have emerged in response to the rapid urbanization that has occurred in Thailand. Recently, leptin resistance has been nominated as a possible marker for the onset of metabolic disorders in Asian countries. The research aimed to assess the relationship between leptin-resistance and environmental and/or genetic factors by comparing urban and rural inhabitants in Thailand. METHODS: A total of 212 age- and sex-matched subjects from an urban area (Bangkok) and from rural areas (Sai Noi) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements, blood biochemistry, single nucleotide polymorphism analyses, and interviews concerning lifestyles and dietary habits were conducted individually. Backward elimination multiple regression analyses and least trimmed sum of square methods were used to estimate the effects of possible factors. RESULTS: A transition of staple food from rice to bread (decreased rice intake; p < 0.01 and increased bread intake; p < 0.05) was significant in urban areas. Leptin levels were higher in urban groups, with a significant difference in women (p < 0.001 in women and p = 0.06 in men), but not in men. Predictors selected for leptin-resistance in women were genotypes of UCP2, PPARg2, bread intake, living area, and smoking habit (r = 0.510); in men, genotypes of UCP2 and UCP3p, smoking habit, and rice intake (r = 0.315). CONCLUSIONS: Urban women with del/del type of UCP2 exhibited significant leptin resistance. A combination of urbanization and UCP2 genotype were considered to be responsible.
Subject(s)
Diet , Leptin/genetics , Metabolic Syndrome/genetics , Obesity/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Anthropometry , Blood Chemical Analysis , Environment , Feeding Behavior , Female , Genotype , Humans , Leptin/metabolism , Life Style , Male , Metabolic Syndrome/blood , Metabolic Syndrome/metabolism , Middle Aged , Obesity/blood , Obesity/metabolism , Risk Factors , Rural Population , Sex Factors , Thailand/epidemiology , Urban Population , UrbanizationABSTRACT
Genetic differences between Asians and Caucasians may be involved in the rapid increase in lifestyle-related diseases in the Asia-Pacific region that has coincided with Westernisation of diets in the region. In the present study, we assessed correlation between 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and chronic disease risk factors in age-matched and population-based groups in four Asian-Pacific locations: Okinawa, Palau and Thailand (two areas). The following allelic SNP profiles significantly differed (p<0.01) among the four populations, in both men and women: uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), uncoupling protein 3 promoter (UCP3p), leptin receptor (LEPR) exon 6, and angiotensinogen (AGTa-20c). Multiple regression analyses showed significant associations between SNPs and clinical data. For men, these associations were between beta3 adrenergic receptor (beta3AR) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p<0.01), UCP3p and total cholesterol (p<0.01), UCP2 and age (p<0.05), and AGTa-20c and age (p<0.01). For women, these associations were between LEPR exon 14 and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.05), UCP2 and systolic blood pressure (p<0.05), UCP3p and DBP (p<0.05), UCP2 and DBP (p<0.01), apolipoprotein E (ApoE)nd total cholesterol (p<0.01), beta3AR and triglyceride (p<0.05), AGTa-20c and triglyceride (p<0.05), and UCP2 and age (p<0.05). These results illustrate the interrelationships among SNPs and risk factors in the Asia-Pacific including China and Japan.
