Obesity and Diabetes in an Arab population: Role of Adenovirus 36 Infection

Sci Rep. 2020 May 15;10(1):8107. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-65008-x.

Abstract

Prior infection with adenovirus 36 (Adv36) has been associated with increased adiposity, improved insulin sensitivity, and a lower prevalence of diabetes. This study investigated the prevalence of Adv36 seropositivity and its association with obesity and diabetes among adults attending a diabetes centre in the UAE.Participants (N = 973) with different weight and glucose tolerance categories were recruited. Adv36 seropositivity (Adv36 + ) was assessed using ELISA. Differences among groups were analyzed using statistical tests as appropriate to the data. Prevalence of Adv36+ in the study population was 47%, with no significant difference in obese and non-obese subgroups (42.5% vs 49.6% respectively; p=non-significant). Females were more likely to be Adv36+ compared to males (odds ratio 1.78; 95% CI 1.36-2.32, p < 0.001). We found no significant association between Adv36 seropositivity and different BMI categories, or glucose tolerance status. In our population, the effect of Adv36 infection on lipid profile varied between healthy individuals and individuals with obesity. Adv36 infection is more prevalent in the UAE than in other countries but has no association with obesity. Our study found that females were more likely to be Adv36 positive regardless of weight or diabetes status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / complications*
  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / virology
  • Adenoviruses, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Adiposity*
  • Adult
  • Arabs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Body Weight
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / virology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Obesity / virology
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • United Arab Emirates / epidemiology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • hemoglobin A1c protein, human