Influence of Ala54Thr polymorphism of fatty acid-binding protein 2 on insulin resistance and adipocytokines in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2

D.A. de Luis, M. Gonzalez Sagrado, R. Aller, O. Izaola, R. Conde, B. de La Fuente

Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School and Unit of Investigation, Hospital Rio Hortega, University of Valladolid, Valladolid (Spain)

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• Internal Medicine

BACKGROUND: A transition G to A at codon 54 of FABP2 results in an amino acid substitution (ala 54 to Thr 54). This polymorphism could be associated with insulin resistance and adipocytokines in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of Thr54 polymorphism in the FABP2 gene on adipocytokines and insulin resistance in the fasted state in naïve patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

DESIGN: A population of 58 naïve patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (fasting glucose >126 mg/dl) and obesity (body mass index >30) was analyzed in a prospective way. An indirect calorimetry, tetrapolar electrical bioimpedance, blood pressure, a serial assessment of nutritional intake with 3 days written food records and biochemical analysis (lipid profile, adipocytokines, insulin, CRP and HOMA) were performed. The statistical analysis was performed for the combined Ala54/Thr54 and Thr54/Thr54 as a mutant group and wild type Ala54/Ala54 as second group.

RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (56.9%) had genotype Ala54/Ala54 (wild type group) and 25 (43.1%) patients Ala54/Thr54 (19 patients, 32.8%) or Thr54/Thr54 (6 patients, 10.3%) (mutant group). C-reactive protein (5.6±4.2 vs 8.7±5.3 mg/dl: p < 0.05), insulin (22.9±11 vs 6.6±12 mUI/L: p < 0.05) and HOMA (7.65±5.3 vs 9.1±6.3: p < 0.05) were higher in mutant group than wild group. Anthropometric parameters, dietary intakes and adipocytokines were similar in both genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS: The novel finding of this study is the association of the Thr54/Ala54 and Thr54/ Thr54 FABP2 genotypes with higher levels of C reactive protein, insulin and HOMA.

Corresponding Author: Daniel A. de Luis, MD; e-mail: dadluis@yahoo.es