A tryptophan to arginine (Trp64Arg) mutation in the β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) gene has been implicated in diabetes and obesity. We investigated the relationship of the β3-AR gene mutation with total body weight, BMI, central abdominal fat, blood pressure (BP), and reproductive history in 686 elderly subjects (429 women, 257 men; mean age 69.8 ± 6.9 [±SD] years) from a cross section of a normal population in Australia. About 14% of the test population were heterozygote carriers of the Trp64Arg mutation; however, significant effects on clinical parameters were only observed in women. The frequency of the mutation was significantly increased in obese women compared with lean women (BMI ≥ 27: 20% compared with BMI < 27: 11%, P = 0.02). Significantly higher total body weight (67.5 ± 12.9 vs. 64.1 ± 12.2 kg, P = 0.03) and BMI (26.3 ± 4.7 vs. 25.1 ± 4.5 kg/m2, P = 0.03) was observed in heterozygote women compared with normal subjects (homozygous for tryptophan). Central abdominal fat was not significantly different, except in women under 70 years, where heterozygotes had 16% higher abdominal fat compared with normal subjects. Female heterozygotes had significantly higher diastolic BP, even after adjustment for age and BMI (88.9 ± 11.1 vs. 84.2 ± 10.8 mmHg, P = 0.003) and a longer reproductive life, with an earlier menarche (12.8 ± 1.3 vs. 13.4 ± 1.5 years, P = 0.006), a higher gravidity (4.4 ± 2.4 vs. 3.5 ± 2.1, P = 0.01), and higher parity (3.8 ± 2.0 vs. 3.0 ± 1.9, P = 0.005). Clearly, the β3-AR mutation has pleiotrophic effects on a number of physiological systems, including BMI, BP, and reproductive history, perhaps suggesting evolutionary reasons for its maintenance in the population.
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Original Articles|
October 01 1996
The β3-Adrenergic Receptor Gene Trp64Arg Mutation is Overrepresented in Obese Women: Effects on Weight, BMI, Abdominal Fat, Blood Pressure, and Reproductive History in an Elderly Australian Population
Takumi Kurabayashi;
Takumi Kurabayashi
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Niigata University
Niigata, Japan
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David G P Carey;
David G P Carey
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Nigel A Morrison
Nigel A Morrison
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. N.A. Morrison, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital, 384 Victoria St., Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia.
Diabetes 1996;45(10):1358–1363
Article history
Revision Received:
May 16 1993
Accepted:
May 16 1993
Received:
March 07 1996
PubMed:
8826971
Citation
Takumi Kurabayashi, David G P Carey, Nigel A Morrison; The β3-Adrenergic Receptor Gene Trp64Arg Mutation is Overrepresented in Obese Women: Effects on Weight, BMI, Abdominal Fat, Blood Pressure, and Reproductive History in an Elderly Australian Population. Diabetes 1 October 1996; 45 (10): 1358–1363. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.45.10.1358
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