The myostatin rs1805086 variant is associated with obesity in Mexican adults, independently of metabolic risk factors

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a worldwide health problem. Genetic studies have shown the association between rs1805086 localized in myostatin (MSTN) gene with body fat; however, there is little evidence of its relation with metabolic disturbances.

Aim

To determine whether rs1805086 is associated with obesity and metabolic disturbances in a Mexican adult population.

Subjects and methods

We genotyped rs1805086 in 1024 men and women aged 18–58 years. Anthropometric and body fat data were used to estimate obesity. Biochemical parameters were measured and DNA was used to determine the rs1805086 genotype.

Results

rs1805086 heterozygous AG frequency was 5.4%, and the homozygous for the risk allele GG was absent. Heterozygous had higher levels of body mass index (BMI) and waist/height ratio (WHtR). Heterozygous subjects showed a greater total and central obesity compared to the homozygous for ancestral allele AA (OR BMI > 30 kg/m²₌ 2.35, 95% CI 1.29–4.29; OR WHtR > 0.5 = 2.03, 95% CI 1.19–3.45; OR elevated fat mass (EFM) %= 1.72, 95% CI 1.01–2.92; OR fat mass index (FMI)>p85 = 1.96, 95% CI 1.05–3.68). rs1805086 was not associated with metabolic alterations.

Conclusion

Heterozygosity for rs1805086 showed a predisposition to having elevated overall and central obesity parameters. This association with adiposity seems to be independent of metabolic risk.

Keywords:

• rs1805086 (K153R)
• myostatin
• MSTN
• body fat
• obesity

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all participants in this study, and the authors also thank José María Zubiría, Sport City S.A de C.V. and SUSALUD Program for sampling assistance. The present study was funded by Sport City S.A. de C.V., Grupo Marti-Mexico and Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro; Mexico.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).