LAUSR

Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of selected genes (β3-adrenergic receptors-ADRB3, Leptin receptor-LEPR, Peroxisome proliferator activator receptor γ-PPARG) and obesity among Ghanaian adults. Methods This was a case-control study comprising 24 cases of newly diagnosed obese; BMI ≥30 kg/m2, at the Dietherapy Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), and 32 controls of non-obese staff and clinical students at KBTH. A validated questionnaire was used for demographic, dietary and anthropometric data. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, and DNA extracted from mouth rinse water samples. SNPs in the ADRB3, LEPR and PPARG genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR -RFLP). Results There were statistically significant differences in BMI, WHR and MUAC measurements between cases and controls (all p s˂ 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.3032) between the mean energy intakes of both cases and controls. DNA fragments for the PPARG gene was amplified in 55 respondents. No relationship was observed between PPARG (Pro12Pro) SNP and BMI, MUAC and WHR among participants. Amplification was successful in 19 cases and 24 controls for ADRB3 (Trp64Trp & Trp64Arg). No significant difference (all ps > 0.05) emerged for the ADRB3 SNPs frequencies between the cases and the controls for BMI, MUAC and WHR. LEPR amplification was successful in 15 cases and 14 controls. Amplicons of six cases, all in the OBClass 1 to OBClass 3 range, indicated the presence of the Gln223Arg SNP after RFLP. A significant difference (all ps < 0.05) emerged for LEPR (Gln223Arg) SNP frequencies between the cases and the controls for BMI, MUAC and WHR. Conclusions There were no observed relationships among ADRB3, PPARG SNPs and BMI, MUAC and WHR. LEPR (Gln223Arg) SNP was statistically associated with BMI, MUAC and WHR. Funding Sources 1. College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Research Grant for MSc/MPhil Thesis/Dissertation. 2. Self funding.