Background: Accumulating evidence indicates the potential involvement of the FTO gene polymorphisms in the etiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders.
Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the FTO gene polymorphisms are associated with the risk of MetS and its simple components in a homogeneous sample of males.
Material and methods: Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed in 192 males. A total of 100 males met the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria for a diagnosis of MetS. The following FTO gene polymorphisms were genotyped: rs1421085, rs17817449, rs1558902, and rs9939609.
Results: There were significant differences between participants with distinct rs9939609 genotypes with respect to waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and the levels of total cholesterol. Individuals with the rs1421085 CC genotype had significantly higher levels of triglycerides compared to those with other corresponding genotypes. Participants with the rs1558902 AA genotype had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), WHR, as well as the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. There were no significant differences in genotype distribution allelic frequencies of all tested polymorphisms between individuals with MetS and control subjects.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that the genetic variation in the FTO gene might be related to single metabolic disturbances. However, the FTO gene polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of MetS.
Keywords: FTO gene; metabolic syndrome; obesity; polymorphism.