Role of the PPARalpha Leu162Val and PPARgamma2 Pro12Ala gene polymorphisms in weight change after 2.5-year follow-up in Czech obese women.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effect of PPARalpha and PPARgamma2 variants on weight and eating attitudes as well as on their changes after 2.5-year follow-up. The study was carried out in 246 Czech non-diabetic obese women (age 49.0 +/- 11.9 years; BMI 38.1 +/- 7.0 kg/m(2)). The comprehensive weight management programme included lowenergy diet, increased physical activity and lifestyle modification. Anthropometric parameters (body weight and height, waist and hip circumferences) and body composition were measured. The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory were evaluated. At baseline and after the follow-up period, fasting levels of serum glucose, plasma adiponectin, ghrelin, leptin, and lipid profile were determined. The dependence of monitored parameters on the Pro12Ala in PPARgamma2 and Leu162Val in PPARalpha and stage of the treatment (baseline; 2.5- year follow-up) was evaluated using the repeated measures ANOVA model. The cohort was re-examined after 2.5 years, independent of regular checkups and adherence to lifestyle recommendation. Significant favourable changes in anthropometric indexes, lipid profile, leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin levels as well as in dietary restraint and hunger scores were revealed at 2.5-year check-up. However, no changes in the scores of disinhibition and depression were demonstrated. Despite several observed significant differences between carriers and non-carriers of the minor alleles at baseline and at the follow-up, the repeated measures ANOVA did not reveal any significant effect of the PPARalpha and PPARgamma2 polymorphisms on anthropometric, biochemical, hormonal and psycho-behavioural characteristics, neither at baseline nor at the 2.5-year follow-up.

Neuromedin beta: P73T polymorphism in overweight and obese subjects.

Neuromedin beta (NMB) is a member of the bombesin-like peptide family expressed in brain, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, adrenals and adipose tissue. The aim of our study was to compare the frequency of P73T polymorphism in overweight and obese patients (37 men: age 50.6+/-11.7 years, BMI 41.1+/-7.8 kg/m(2); 255 women: age 49.0+/-11.9 years, BMI 37.9+/-6.8 kg/m(2)) with that of healthy normal weight subjects (51 men: age 28.2+/-7.1 years, BMI 22.3+/-2.0 kg/m(2); 104 women: age 29.1+/-9.1 years, BMI 21.5+/-1.9 kg/m(2)) and to investigate the polymorphism's influence on anthropometric, nutritional and psychobehavioral parameters in overweight/obese patients both at the baseline examination and at a control visit carried out 2.5 years later, regardless of the patient s compliance with the weight reduction program. No significant differences in the genotype distribution were demonstrated between normal weight and overweight/obese subjects. Male T allele non-carriers compared to T allele carriers had higher energy (p=0.009), protein (p=0.018) and fat (p=0.002) intakes and hunger score (p=0.015) at the beginning of treatment. Male T allele non-carriers had a more favorable response to weight management at the follow-up, as they exhibited a significant reduction in waist circumference, energy intake and depression score as well as a significant increase in dietary restraint. No significant differences between carriers and non-carriers were demonstrated in women at the baseline examination. Both female T allele carriers and non-carriers demonstrated similar significant changes in nutritional parameters and in restraint score at the follow-up. Nevertheless, only female non-carriers showed a significant decrease in the hunger score.

Role of hereditary factors in weight loss and its maintenance.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate in both developed and developing countries. Obesity is a chronic complex disease of multifactorial origin resulting from a long-term positive energy balance, in which both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Genetically prone individuals are the first to accumulate fat in the present obesogenic environment. Obesity increases the risks of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, arthritis, and several cancers and reduces the average life expectancy. Implementation of effective strategies in prevention and management of obesity should become an important target in health care systems. Weight changes throughout life depend on the interaction of behavioral, genetic and environmental factors. Weight loss in response to weight management shows a wide range of interindividual variation which is largely influenced by genetic determinants. The strong control of weight loss by genotype was confirmed by twin and family studies. Recently, special attention has been paid to nutritional, hormonal, psychobehavioral and genetic factors which can predict the response to weight reduction programme. In this article currently available data on the role of obesity candidate gene polymorphisms in weight loss and maintenance are reviewed. It is believed that an elucidation of the genetic component in the prognosis of weight management could assist in the development of more effective and individually tailored therapeutic strategies.