beta₃-Adrenergic receptor polymorphism and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objectives. Some studies indicate that the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the gene encoding the β₃-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and earlier onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of ADRB3 polymorphism and its association with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Methods. We performed the study on 284 randomly chosen postmenopausal women, aged 50–60 years, who were then selected to the study. Measurements of anthropometric parameters and biochemical estimations such as lipid profile, glucose and insulin level in serum were carried out using commercial kits. ADRB3 genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and mini-sequencing.

Results. The frequency of the Trp64/Arg64 genotype in the investigated population was 13%, and of the Trp64/Trp64 genotype, 85%. The Arg64/Arg64 genotype was present in only 2% of women. Metabolic syndrome was recognized in 22% of women bearing Trp64/Arg64 genotype and in 14% of women bearing Trp64/Trp64 genotype, without a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05 in the χ² test). Women bearing the Trp64/Arg64 genotype had lower serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than Trp64/Trp64 genotype women (63.2 ± 13.0 vs. 71.4 ± 17.4 mg/dl). Both groups did not differ in any other investigated parameter.

Conclusion. Trp64Arg polymorphism of the β₃-adrenergic receptor gene is not related to metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal Polish women; however, it seems to be associated with decreased HDL-C levels.

Keywords:

• β₃-Adrenergic receptor
• metabolic syndrome
• postmenopausal women