Variant in the FTO gene and biomarkers related to health in mature Slovak women

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether variant (rs178 17449, G/T) in the first intron of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) was related to different obesity parameters and blood pressure in mature women from Slovakia. A total of 419 Slovak women (241 premenopausal and 178 postmenopausal) ranging in age from 39 to 65 years were recruited from different parts of Slovakia. The subgroups were categorized based on the WHO (1996) criteria. All participants gave written informed consent for participation in this study. Anthropometric parameters were measured using standard methods. Fat mass was examined by bioimpedance and blood pressure was measured in the morning during the medical examination. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood or saliva samples by the JET-QUICK Tissue DNA spine kit. The FTO variant was determined by PCR and restriction analysis according to the methodology of Hubacek et al. (2008). The obtained data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 17.0 for Windows. The FTO genotype and allele frequencies in the entire sample and in subgroups according to their menopausal and blood pressure status fell within the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In postmenopausal women the FTO (rs178 17449) genotype was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.024) in the dominant GG/GT vs.TT model and with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.030) in the recessive GG vs. GT/TT and the additive model (p = 0.043), respectively. In these postmenopausal women regression analysis showed a statistically significant effect of age, BMI and FTO dominant model on SBP, and of BMI on DBP among the other variables capable of inducing blood pressure differences. This study demonstrates that the SNP rs178 17449 in the FTO gene is associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure but not with BMI and obesity variables, as already replicated in several populations throughout the world.

Relationship between A163G osteoprotegerin gene polymorphism and other osteoporosis parameters in Roma and non-Roma postmenopausal women in eastern Slovakia

“…It was found that bone mineral density also varies depending on race and ethnicity. Interestingly, Benčová et al 22 found higher BMI in women Slovak aged 60-69 years compared to women from Italy at the same age. Statistically significant differences were found in age, body height, body weight, hip circumference, and BMI between groups.…”

“…The mean age was significantly higher in women with osteoporosis, but the other differing parameters were lower in comparison with control (Table 1). Interestingly, Benčová et al 22 found higher BMI in women Slovak aged 60-69 years compared to women from Italy at the same age. The average BMI in the control group of the majority of the population is partly consistent with the results of Piedra et al 23 in the Caucasian population.…”

The reproductive parameters, lifestyle and health factors in relation to physiological menopausal symptoms in Slovak women

“…Details of the studies have been published elsewhere (Luptáková et al 2012a;Luptáková et al 2012b;Benčová et al 2012;Lupták-ová et al 2013). Women were recruited from different localities in the western, southern and middle parts of Slovakia, via an invitation letter regarding the study which was circulated and distributed prior to data collection with the help of local medical doctors and/or nurses.…”