PPARGC1A gene polymorphism and its association with obesity-related metabolic traits in Serbian adolescent population

PPARGC1A is involved in many metabolic processes including normal mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidation of glucose and lipids and transport of glucose into skeletal muscles. Previous researches linked this polymorphism with the higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of Gly482Ser with body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose levels and lipid profile in Serbian adolescents. The study included 147 boys and 150 girls, 15 years of age. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were recorded. Cardiovascular and malignant diseases, type 2 diabetes, cerebral palsy and genetics syndrome were criteria for exclusion. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. The results showed that boys carriers of GG genotype had statistically higher mean values of TC compared to the boys who were carriers of GA+AA genotypes (p=0.033). However, statistical significance was not obtained for the other analyzed parameters. Furthermore, in the group of overweight and obese children, higher mean values of TC and LDL-C were observed in the carriers of GG genotype compared to carriers of GA+AA genotype for all the adolescents, as well as in the group of girls. No correlation was observed for values of BMI, fasting blood glucose and levels of triglycerides. To confirm these results, further research with larger sample size and non-genetics factor taking into consideration, would be of great interest.