A polymorphism in the adiponectin gene influences adiponectin expression levels in visceral fat in obese subjects

Objective: Reduced serum adiponectin levels have been found in obesity and type 2 diabetes and variations in the adiponectin gene (APM1) have been associated with type 2 diabetes and features of the metabolic syndrome in different populations. Study Design: Here, we investigated the expression of APM1 in adipose tissue and studied the relationship between variation in APM1 expression, the APM1 G276T polymorphism, the common PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism and clinical features of 36 morbidly obese (body mass index (BMI) 41.5 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2)) nondiabetic subjects. Results: APM1 mRNA expression in visceral fat was correlated with serum adiponectin levels (r=0.54, P=0.012). In visceral, but not in subcutaneous, adipose tissue APM1 mRNA level was 38% higher among carriers of the APM1 G276T T allele (G/T and T/T) than among carriers of the G/G genotype (0.91 +/- 0.06 for G/T and T/T carriers vs 0.66 +/- 0.09 for G/G carriers, P=0.013). Carriers of the T allele also had significantly higher body fat percent compared to G/G carriers (65 +/- 6 vs 56 +/- 10%, P=0.011). Conclusion: Our results indicate that genetic variation in APM1 influences the expression of the gene in visceral adipose tissue and suggest a potential role for such variation in regulation of body fat accumulation in obese subjects.