Leptin G-2548A and leptin receptor Q223R gene polymorphisms are not associated with obesity in Romanian subjects.

We aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms LEP G-2548A and LEPR Q223R in the human leptin (LEP), and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes are associated with obesity and metabolic traits in a sample of Romanian population. Two hundred and two subjects divided in obese (body mass index, BMI30 kg/m(2)), and non-obese were included in this study. The polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The results showed no significant differences in LEP and LEPR genotype and allele frequencies between obese and non-obese subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed that LEP -2548GG genotype presented an increased risk of obesity (p=0.013, OR=1.003, 95% CI=1.000-1.007), after adjusting for age and gender. The association analysis with metabolic syndrome quantitative traits showed that homozygous for LEP -2548G allele had significantly higher leptin levels (17.2+/-6.6 ng/ml vs. 13.2+/-4.9 ng/ml, p=0.011), and carriers of R allele had higher levels of triglycerides (p=0.017) and glucose (p=0.040), and enhanced systolic (p=0.015) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.026), after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI. These results indicate that LEP G-2548A and LEPR Q223R SNPs may not be considered as genetic risk factors for obesity in a sample of Romanian population. However, LEP -2548GG genotype appear to be important in regulating leptin levels, whereas the LEPR 223R allele might predispose healthy subjects to develop metabolic disturbances.

Population history of the Dniester-Carpathians: evidence from Alu markers.

The area between the Dniester and the eastern Carpathian mountain range is at a geographical crossroads between eastern Europe and the Balkans. Little is known about the genetics of the population of this region. We performed an analysis of 12 binary autosomal markers in samples from six Dniester-Carpathian populations: two Moldavian, one Romanian, one Ukrainian and two Gagauz populations. The results were compared with gene frequency data from culturally and linguistically related populations from Southeast Europe and Central Asia. Small genetic differences were found among southeastern European populations (in particular those of the Dniester-Carpathian region). The observed homogeneity suggests either a very recent common ancestry of all southeastern European populations or strong gene flow between them. Despite this low level of differentiation, tree reconstruction and principle component analyses allowed a distinction between Balkan-Carpathian (Macedonians, Romanians, Moldavians, Ukrainians and Gagauzes) and eastern Mediterranean (Turks, Greeks and Albanians) population groups. The genetic affinities among Dniester-Carpathian and southeastern European populations do not reflect their linguistic relationships. The results indicate that the ethnic and genetic differentiations occurred in these regions to a considerable extent independently of each other. In particular, Gagauzes, a Turkic-speaking population, show closer affinities to their geographical neighbors than to other Turkic populations.

Religious-ethnic groups in Romania--correlations between lifestyle and health status.

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the lifestyle factors from Romania on the state of health, to underlie the significant ethnical and/or confessional differences between the lifestyle and, respectively, their influence on the state of health. Our research group included 242 persons (males 88, females 155), the majority of them living in rural areas. We interviewed the subjects with the use of a questionnaire, we clinically and paraclinically investigated each and every one. The studied multi-ethnical and multi-denominational group is part of the small income population, with elementary education, with a simple and harsh way of life. Use of alcohol and tobacco is very low, overweight persons (18%) and first grade obese persons (36%) constitute more than half of the studied group. One third of the subjects present increased values of cholesterol and/or triglycerides, with an accent on men, having a metabolic syndrome with increased vascular risk. Symptomatology also correlates with the type of diet with fewer symptoms for ovo-lacto-vegetarians and also less personal pathology. Religious affiliation is determinant for the lifestyle and state of health, in comparison to ethnicity, which tends to be neutral in our study. Beliefs and religious affiliation tend to favor a lifestyle free of risk.