An AHSG gene variant modulates basal metabolic rate and body composition development after a short-time lifestyle intervention.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The AHSG (alpha2 Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein) gene is suggested to be important for the regulation of body fat and insulin sensitivity. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between the common Thr248Met (rs4917) variant and obesity characteristics after an intervention with overweight females. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 105 unrelated overweight/obese nondiabetic Czech adult females (49.0 ± 12.1 years, BMI over 28.6 kg/m2, mean BMI before intervention 32.8 ± 4.1 kg/m2) before and after 10 weeks of lifestyle modification. Biochemical and anthropometrical measurements were performed. The life style modification program consisted of a reduction of energy intake to an age-adjusted optimum and an exercise program (four units per week). The mean weight loss was 3.2 ± 3.5 kg (3.7 ± 4.0%). RESULTS: Thr/Thr homozygotes (N=52) increased lean muscle mass (p<0.05), decreased total body fat (kg) (p<0.005) and increased basal metabolic rate (BMR) per 1 kg body weight (p<0.005) in comparison with the Met carriers (N=52), but an association between BMI decrease and AHSG variants was not found. CONCLUSION: AHSG gene variants modify the effect of physical activity on BMR. Carriers of the Thr248Thr genotype showed a higher benefit from the lifestyle intervention (expressed as changes in body fat, active muscle and basal metabolic rate).