Genetics and Molecular Biology (Jan 2012)

Association of a serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) 5-HTTLPR polymorphism with body mass index categories but not type 2 diabetes mellitus in Mexicans

  • Valeria Peralta-Leal,
  • Evelia Leal-Ugarte,
  • Juan P. Meza-Espinoza,
  • Ingrid P. Dávalos-Rodríguez,
  • Anabel Bocanegra-Alonso,
  • Rosa I. Acosta-González,
  • Enrique Gonzales,
  • Saraswathy Nair,
  • Jorge Durán-González

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 35, no. 3
pp. 589 – 593

Abstract

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The serotonergic system has been hypothesized to contribute to the biological susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and body-mass index (BMI) categories. We investigate a possible association of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (L and S alleles) in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) with the development of T2DM and/or higher BMI by analyzing a sample of 138 individuals diagnosed with T2DM and 172 unrelated controls from the Mexican general population. In the total sample genotypes were distributed according to Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium, and S allele frequency was 0.58. There was no statistical association between 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and the development of T2DM in this Mexican population sample (p = 0.12). Nevertheless, logistic regression analysis of the L allele and increased BMI disclosed an association, after adjusting for age, sex and T2DM (p = 0.02, OR 1.74, 95% CI: 1.079-2.808).

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