Single nucleotide polymorphism and lifestyle-related diseases in the Asia-Pacific region: comparative study in Okinawa, Palau and Thailand.

Genetic differences between Asians and Caucasians may be involved in the rapid increase in lifestyle-related diseases in the Asia-Pacific region that has coincided with Westernisation of diets in the region. In the present study, we assessed correlation between 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and chronic disease risk factors in age-matched and population-based groups in four Asian-Pacific locations: Okinawa, Palau and Thailand (two areas). The following allelic SNP profiles significantly differed (p<0.01) among the four populations, in both men and women: uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), uncoupling protein 3 promoter (UCP3p), leptin receptor (LEPR) exon 6, and angiotensinogen (AGTa-20c). Multiple regression analyses showed significant associations between SNPs and clinical data. For men, these associations were between beta3 adrenergic receptor (beta3AR) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p<0.01), UCP3p and total cholesterol (p<0.01), UCP2 and age (p<0.05), and AGTa-20c and age (p<0.01). For women, these associations were between LEPR exon 14 and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.05), UCP2 and systolic blood pressure (p<0.05), UCP3p and DBP (p<0.05), UCP2 and DBP (p<0.01), apolipoprotein E (ApoE)nd total cholesterol (p<0.01), beta3AR and triglyceride (p<0.05), AGTa-20c and triglyceride (p<0.05), and UCP2 and age (p<0.05). These results illustrate the interrelationships among SNPs and risk factors in the Asia-Pacific including China and Japan.

Nutritional and anthropometric assessment of a sample of pregnant women and young children in Palau.

This study examines the diet and body constitution of a small sample of pregnant women, n = 27, and children, n = 32, enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health program at the Public Health/Community Health Center in Koror, Palau. Twenty-four hour diet recalls were collected from both groups, 17 anthropometric and body composition measurements were made on the women and a range of body measurements from height to a full battery of 28 measures were obtained from the children. Diets were found to be low in energy, calcium and zinc. Women consume micronutrients primarily from fish, traditional starches, vegetables and fruits, while children rely more on fortified grain products and milk. The energy distribution is higher in protein and fat and lower in carbohydrate than earlier reports of adult Palauans. A significant minority of the women (27%) have body fat or body mass index profiles indicative of clinically significant obesity or energy storage deficit, both problematic in terms of pregnancy outcomes. While sample sizes of infant and young child cohorts are very small, our findings indicate that a relatively high proportion of these younger children, have experienced inadequate growth and development This is especially true of females, among whom stunting (height deficients) and especially wasting (weight and arm circumference deficits) were in greater evidence.

Uncoupling protein 3 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2 contribute to obesity and diabetes in palauans.

We examined the genetic contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the energy metabolism-related genes, including beta 3 adrenergic receptor (beta3AR), apolipoprotein E (apo-E), promoter of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3-p), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARgamma2) and leptin receptor (LEPR) to metabolic disorders, in 118 inhabitants of Palau. The data were statistically analyzed and ethnically compared to correlate SNPs and their metabolic parameters. UCP3-p (P < 0.01) and PPARgamma2 (p = 0.05) correlated with plasma HbA1c, and UCP3-p correlated with fasting blood glucose (P < 0.01) in males, but not in females. UCP3-p correlated with body fat (%) (P < 0.01) in females, but not in males. Plasma leptin levels and apo-E were correlated in both groups. The frequency of SNPs for PPARgamma2, LEPR, and UCP3-p are significantly different between Palauans and Caucasians.