The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the L55M and Q192R paraoxonase (PON1) polymorphisms and obesity in a population of adult Mexican workers. The study population included 127 adult individuals from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, ranging in age from 20 to 56 years and representing both sexes. Based on body mass index, 63 individuals were classified as obese and 64 as normal weight. The PON1-Q192R and PON1-L55M polymorphisms were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR analysis. Both arylesterase and paraoxonase activity levels were similar in both groups, whereas systolic pressure, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels were higher in the obese group than in the normal-weight group (P < 0.05). An exception was the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, which were lower in the obese group (P < 0.05). Although the PON1-Q192R polymorphism was not associated with either group, the frequency of the homozygous L genotype for the PON1-L55M polymorphism was higher in the obese group than in the normal-weight group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study established a positive association between the PON1-L55M homozygous L genotype and obesity.

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EGb761 produces reversible inhibition of both monoamine oxidase (MAO) isoforms in the central nervous system. 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) neurotoxicity is prevented by treatment with the MAO inhibitor pargyline. We investigated EGb761's effect on striatal MAO activity during MPP+ neurotoxicity. C-57 black mice were pretreated with EGb761 (10 mg/kg) daily for 17 days followed by administration of MPP+ (0.72 mg/kg). MPP+ enhanced striatal MAO (30%) activity at 6 h, and EGb761 prevented this effect. MAO-B activity in striatum was enhanced (70%) 6 h after MPP+ administration and was reduced to almost normal levels in EGb761 + MPP+ group compared to MPP+ group. Pretreatment with EGb761 partially prevented (32%) the striatal dopamine-depleting effect of MPP+ and prevented the reduction in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity (100%). Results suggest that EGb761 supplements may be effective in reducing MAO activity as well as enhancement in dopamine metabolism, thereby preventing MPP+-neurotoxicity.