Association Between 5-HT Receptor Gene Promoter Polymorphism and Obesity

Background: Serotonin has an integral role in appetite control, sexual and social behaviour, and stress response and these all form part of the individual susceptibility to obesity. AA genotype of 5-HT2A gene promoter polymorphism was associated with increase receptor expression and binding. Aim: To study the relation between the G1438A polymorphism of the 5-HT2A gene and the susceptibility to obesity. Material& Method: 69 individuals with BMI < 25 Kg/m 2 and 120 individuals with BMI 25 Kg/m 2 were enrolled in the study. The G1438A polymorphism of the 5-HT2A gene was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) of peripheral blood DNA samples. Analysis of data was done by using SPSS program. Results: Genotype frequencies for AA and GA& GG were 25% and 75% respectively in the group with BMI 25 Kg/m 2 compared to 52.2% and 47.8% in the normal BMI group. Carriers of GA& GG genotype were at a significant high risk of developing obesity when compared with carrier of AA genotype (OR=3.3, 95%CI= 1.7–6.1). Moreover, the mean energy intake per day was significantly increased among carriers of GA&GG genotype when compared to AA genotype (p< 0.05). Conclusion: G allele was a risk factor for obesity. Source of Fund: Ain Shams University.