Association of a mutation in the β₃‐adrenergic receptor gene with obesity and response to dietary intervention in Chinese children

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether the Trp64Arg mutation in the β3‐adrenergic receptor (β3‐adr) gene is related to childhood obesity and the response to dietary intervention for obesity. The study included 311 healthy children aged 8‐11 y selected at random from 4 primary schools in Beijing. Fasting insulin and lipids were measured and anthropometry was carried out for all samples. The mutation of the β3‐adr gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Forty‐seven obese children were selected and divided into two groups. One group received dietary intervention (36 subjects); the other served as the control group (11 subjects). After 3 mo of dietary intervention, anthropometry was carried out again in 47 obese children. The frequency of the mutated allele was similar in 73 overweight and 238 normal‐weight children (0.18 and 0.17, respectively). Adjusted for age and sex, there was no significant difference in body mass index (BMI) and the levels of fasting lipids and insulin between those with and without the mutation of the 311 children. However, after 3 mo of dietary intervention, increases in weight and BMI were significantly lower in obese children without the mutation than in the control group (2.41 ± 0.56 vs 4.43 ± 0.70, p < 0.05; 0.48 ± 0.24 vs 1.55 ± 0.35, p < 0.05, respectively), but the changes in weight and BMI in obese children with the mutation were similar to the results in the controls (4.32 ± 0.69 vs 4.43 ± 0.70; 1.47 ± 0.32 vs 1.55 ± 0.35). Conclusion: The Trp64Arg mutation of the β3‐adr gene may predict the result of dietary intervention in obese children to some extent, but it was not a major factor affecting weight in Chinese children.

Influence of Trp64Arg Polymorphism of Beta 3-Adrenoreceptor Gene on Insulin Resistance, Adipocytokines and Weight Loss Secondary to Two Hypocaloric Diets

“…In 1 study, obese children were subjected to a low-fat diet for 3 months, and the increase in body weight in obese children without the mutation was less than that in obese with the mutation and in the control group [29] . Perhaps, the age of the patients could play a role in this different response to a hypocaloric diet.…”

Obesity and eating behaviour in children and adolescents: Contribution of common gene polymorphisms

“…In adults, ADRB3 Trp64Arg appears to interact with carbohydrate preference/consumption (Aoyama et al, 2003), and may also operate synergistically with PPARG variants to modulate satiety expression (Cecil et al, 2007). In children the Trp64Arg genotype may also moderate the effect of dietary interventions in obese children (Xinli et al, 2001).…”

Comparison of Body Fat Distribution and Blood Lipid Profiles according to Trp64Arg Polymorphism for the .BETA.3-Adrenergic Receptor Gene in Korean Middle-Aged Women

“…However, this purported association has been controversial and results have been contradictory. Several studies have failed to show on association between the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the ␤ 3 -adrenergic receptor gene and the obesity phenotype in other populations, including Aymara natives from Chile ( 10 ), Mexican-Americans ( 11 ), Chinese ( 12 ), and Finns ( 13 ).…”