Background: Common polymorphisms of the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) have been linked to obesity in some populations. One of these genetic variants (rs9939609) has been related to an increased risk of obesity.
Objective: Our aim was to evaluate weight loss and adipocytokine levels after two hypocaloric diets with different macronutrient distribution in obese subjects with RS9939609 gene variant.
Design: 305 obese patients were enrolled in a prospective way. In the basal visit, patients were randomly allocated during 3 months to low carbohydrates and low fat.
Results: After treatment with both diets and in both genotypes, weight, fat mass, waist circumference and systolic blood pressures decreased. With the diet type I and in TT genotype, insulin (-6.6 ± 9.8 IU/L) and homeostasis model assessment (-2.9 ± 6.1 units) decreased. With the diet type II and in both genotypes (wild and mutant type), insulin (-5.2 ± 6.1 vs. -3.8 ± 6.1 IU/L; p < 0.05) and homeostasis model assessment (-2.4 ± 4.8 vs. -1.1 ± 3.8 kg; p < 0.05) decreased. In the A allele group, a significant decrease was detected in total cholesterol levels (-11.5 ± 20.1 mg/dL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (-13.2 ± 20.9 mg/dL) and c-reactive protein levels (-1.3 ± 3.8 mg/dL) secondary to weight loss after treatment with diet II. The decrease of leptin levels was higher in mutant type group than wild type group with low fat diet (-10.3 ± 36.1 vs. -28.6 ± 53.7 ng/mL; p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Metabolic improvement secondary to weight loss was better in A carriers with a low fat hypocaloric diet.
Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.