The Association Of Genetic Variants In FTO And LEP And Abdominal Adiposity In Black And Asian Females

Abdominal adiposity is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Candidate gene studies have demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) and Leptin (LEP) genes are associated with waist: hip ratio and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). However, most investigations are in individuals of European descent. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of VAT and android/gynoid ratio [A/G] and SNPs in FTO (rs9939609) and LEP (rs7799039) in healthy, non-Hispanic (NH) Black and East Asian females. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 90 NH Black (n = 45) and East Asian (n = 45) females between the ages of 18-34 yrs (age: 22.5 ± 3.8 yrs, %BF: 31.2 ± 5.6 %). Body composition variables were measured by a whole-body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. A cheek sample was collected by swabbing the inside of the participants’ cheeks; DNA was extracted to analyze SNPs, rs9939609 and rs7799039. Separate multiple linear regressions were performed to evaluate the association between body composition outcomes and SNPs while controlling for race and age. RESULTS: Within the regression model, rs9939609 was not associated with VAT (β-coefficient: 0.01, Std. Error [SE]: 0.03, p = 0.81) or A/G (β: -0.01, SE: 0.03, p = 0.68). Race was not a significant covariate within either model (VAT: β: 0.06, SE: 0.05, p = 0.21; A/G: β: 0.08, SE: 0.04, p = 0.09). rs7799039 was not associated with VAT (β-coefficient: 0.01, Std Error [SE]: 0.04, p = 0.82) or A/G (β: -0.01, SE: 0.03, p = 0.83). Race was not a significant covariate within either model (VAT: β: 0.07, SE: 0.04, p = 0.09; A/G: β: 0.07, SE: 0.04, p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of NH Black and East Asian females, rs9939609 and rs7799039 were not associated with DXA-measured markers of abdominal adiposity. The associations were not impacted by race. The results of this study indicate the SNPs selected may not explain the variation in VAT and A/G phenotypes between NH Black and East Asian females. Future studies should investigate larger samples and additional SNPs associated with abdominal adiposity as well as incorporate lifestyle factors such as nutrition, physical activity and social determinants of health. Supported by: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P30DK056350. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.