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Precision Nutrition/Nutrient-Gene (Poster Session)

(P29-007-24) Gene Polymorphisms LEP, LEPR, 5HT2A, GHRL, NPY & FTO - Obesity Biomarkers & Metabolic Risk Assessment: Pilot Study in Overweight & Obese in Romania

Monday, July 1, 2024
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 122
Disclosure(s):
Mihaela N. Bodnarescu-Cobanoglu, Specialist: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully revealed numerous susceptibility loci for obesity. PREDATORR study (2014) shows that in Romania, 34,6% of adults aged 20-79 y/o are overweight, 31,4% are obese with a high risk of cardiometabolic complications, a number that puts almost 67% of Romania's population in the abnormal weight group.

Methods: Our study aims to investigate the current status of genetic foundation in metabolic disease associated with obesity, applied to a pilot group of patients specifically examining the impact of known polymorphisms and their haplotype of six food intake-regulating genes: leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEP-R), serotonin receptor (5HTR2A), ghrelin (GHRL), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and fat-mass and obesity-associated (FTO) with the following polymorphisms: LEP A-2548G, LEPR A-223G, 5HTR2A G-1439A, GHRL G-72T, NPY T-29063C, FTO A-T and body mass index (BMI). 

Results: A notable link between the LEP-2548 rs7799039 gene's AG genotype and the risk of obesity was observed, particularly pronounced in males aged 40-49, with an approximately sevenfold increased likelihood of obesity. The study found a significant relationship between the AG genotype in the LEP-A2548G SNP and obesity risk. Individuals with this allele were about seven times more likely to be obese. The male gender showed a five-fold higher risk of carrying the high-risk obesity allele, particularly in the 40-49 age group.

Conclusions: Our study, to the best of our knowledge, one of the very few on the Romanian population, aims to be a starting point for further research on the targeted interventional strategies to reduce cardiometabolic risks. Our study underscores the complex relationship between genetic polymorphisms and obesity, suggesting the need for further research to understand the contributing factors better.

Funding Sources: This research received no external funding.