The UCP1 gene polymorphism A-3826G in relation to DM2 and body composition in Czech population.

UNLABELLED: Mitochondrial uncoupling contributes to the control of energy expenditure. The brown fat specific uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mRNA was detected in intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal adipose tissue in adult humans. The A-3826G polymorphism in the UCP1 gene promoter region was found to be associated with reduced mRNA expression indicating that the polymorphism is of functional importance. OBJECTIVE: To determine allelic frequencies and genotypic distribution of the A-3826G polymorphism and to study its possible association with anthropometric parameters and biochemical markers of glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) patients (n=295), in offspring of DM2 patients (n=113), and in healthy adults without family history of DM2 (n=120). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the whole cohort of 528 subjects, the G allele was observed with a frequency of 0.26. Genotypic distribution did not differ between diabetics and controls. However, in the offspring of DM2 patients, significantly higher BMI and a trend towards higher waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, waist circumference, and subcutaneous fat mass was observed in the AG genotype compared with the wild-type. Similar tendency was evident in the control group. This indicates possible involvement of the A-3826G polymorphism in the regulation of body composition.

Metabolic syndrome in young Czech women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

METHODS: Sixty-nine young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [age 25.2+/- 4.7 years, with body mass index (BMI) 24.3 +/- 4.8 kg/m2; mean 6 SD] and 73 age-matched healthy females (BMI 22.3 +/- 3.3 kg/m2; mean +/- SD) were evaluated for the occurrence of features of metabolic syndrome according to the Adult Treatment Panel III. RESULTS: Overt metabolic syndrome (the presence of three and more risk factors) was not more common in PCOS women (1/64, 1.6%) than in healthy controls (0/73, 0%). On the other hand, in nearly 50% of PCOS women isolated features of metabolic syndrome, most often a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, were found. Women with at least one feature of metabolic syndrome were, in comparison with women without any of these features, significantly more obese (P = 0.0001), with lower insulin sensitivity (P = 0.05). When comparing PCOS women according to the degree of insulin sensitivity, as determined by euglycaemic clamp, isolated features of metabolic syndrome were found in 8/17 women above the upper quartile, compared with 11/16 women below the lower quartile of insulin sensitivity (P = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Overt metabolic syndrome is only rarely encountered in young Czech females affected by PCOS but its isolated features are relatively frequent, both in young PCOS patients and in age-matched control women.

[Correlation of leptin and anthropometric parameters during weight reduction therapy in obese children]. / Korelace leptinu s antropometrickými parametry behem redukcní lécby obézních detí.

At present, obesity is considered one of the major health problems. It is a predisposing factor of several chronic diseases including non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Leptin levels in humans have been found to be highly correlated with total adiposity. We performed statistic analysis in order to identify linkage between leptin levels and anthropometric parameters in a group of 285 Czech obese children (152 girls and 133 boys) aged 7 to 18 years. The children were measured using the standard anthropometric technique according to Martin and Saller [16] at the beginning and end of a five-week therapeutic weight reduction programme. The skin fold thickness at 14 sites was assessed by means of Best calliper. The body composition was evaluated using Matiegka's technique. The leptin levels were investigated on the beginning and end of the reduction programme by direct enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the evaluation of the grade of obesity, body weight, BMI (body mass index), RI (Rohrer's index), FMI (fat mass index) and normalized body weight, normalized BMI and RI were plotted. Correlation analysis shows relation between leptin concentration and FMI to be the most significant. As to ponderal indexes, normalized RI shows the most significant positive correlation. Leptin concentrations are negatively correlated with the proportion of the weight of skeletal muscles by Matiegka both in girls and boys. Intersexual differences in correlations between leptin concentrations and normalized circumferences are observed, as well as in correlations between leptin and particular skin fold thickness. We also tested relations between the magnitude of leptin decreases and magnitude of decreases of anthropometric parameters. There is a strong endorsement both in girls and boys of positive correlation between decrease of leptin concentration and fat reduction. Interestingly, differences between boys and girls in relations between leptin decrease and change in lean body mass had been observed.