Association study of common functional genetic polymorphisms in SLC6A4 (5-HTT) and MAOA genes with obesity in portuguese children

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the association of polymorphisms in SLC6A4 and MAOA genes with obesity indices in children.

Material and Methods

A total of 637 Portuguese children (317 girls; 320 boys) aged 3–11 years-old were genotyped for the SLC6A4 polymorphisms, 5-HTTLPR and STin2, and for a MAOA VNTR. Polymorphisms were analysed by PCR-based methods.

Results

Although non-significant (p = .089), our study revealed the Stin2 10 minor allele with a marked higher frequency in girls with overweight/obesity (0.466) in comparison with controls (0.376). Combining the two SLC6A4 polymorphisms, haplotype S/12 revealed in girls significant or nominally significant protective effects against BMI (β = −0.615; p = .009), BMI Z-score (β = −0.251; p = .006), WC (β = −1.4; p = .02) and WHtR (β = −0.008; p = .04).

Conclusions

We found some evidences for the role of SLC6A4 gene in measures of childhood obesity, mainly in girls.

Keywords:

• Obesity
• SLC6A4
• MAOA
• serotonin
• children

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Contract grant sponsor: Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT): FCT-PEst-OE/SADG/UI0283/2019.