Obesity and dysglycaemia in Jamaican women: does the Trp64Arg mutation of B-3 adrenergic receptor play a role?

ABSTRACT

The Trp64Arg mutation of B3 adrenergic receptor (B3AR) has been linked to earlier onset of non insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM), insulin resistance, abdominal obesity and increased capacity to gain weight in some European and Japanese populations. We studied the prevalence of the mutation and its association with NIDDM and obesity in our population in which both rates are high, especially in women. The frequency of the homozygous mutation was 1.53 percent and of the Arg allele, 10.5 percent. Rates were similar in males and females. Significantly higher levels of BMI weight, hip circumference, fasting and post challenge 2h blood glucose concentrations were associated with the presence of the Arg allele in women but not in men. The association with weight and hip measurements and with hyperglycaemia was present only in women >55 years. In multivariate analysis the mutation was associated with BMI and gender in a model that also included age. The variation in fasting and 2h blood glucose levels was predicted by B3 Ar, gender, age and MBI. These results suggest that the presence of the mutation contributes to obesity and hyperglycaemia in our female population. (AU)