Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor Gamma: Genetic Polymorphisms Are Not Associated With Metabolic Syndrome in Taiwan

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is one of the transcriptional regulators of adipocyte differentiation; it was suggested to be a candidate gene modulating obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Aim: This study explored the association between PPARγ genetic polymorphisms (Pro12Ala and C161T) and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Han Taiwanese participants. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 346 participants with MetS and 804 without MetS. The parameters for fasting serum concentrations of glucose and lipids were measured. The presence or absence of MetS was determined according to the modified criteria of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III). PPARγ genetic polymorphisms were genotyped with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Frequencies of the Pro12Ala Ala allele and C161T T allele among non-MetS participants were 5.2% and 26.0%, respectively. The Pro12Ala and C161T polymorphisms were not significantly associated with MetS risk (odds ratio=0.75, 95% confidence interval=0.47-1.21 and odds ratio=0.92, 95% confidence interval=0.70-1.20). No significant association was observed between haplotypes of the PPARγ gene and MetS risk even following stratification by sex. Conclusion: This result suggests that PPARγ C161T and Pro12Ala genetic polymorphisms may not be associated with MetS among Han Taiwanese.