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Polymorphisms in NR3C1 gene associated with risk of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population

  • Endocrine Genetics/Epigenetics
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Abstract

Polymorphisms of the NR3C1 (glucocorticoid receptor) gene have been reported to be associated with altered glucocorticoids sensitivity and changes in body composition and metabolic parameters. This study explored the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NR3C1 gene and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a Chinese population. Fourteen tag-SNPs and five functionally important SNPs in the NR3C1 gene were genotyped in MetS patients (n = 431) and normal controls (n = 461) using the high-throughput Sequenom genotyping platform. Genotype, allelic and haplotype associations were examined using logistic regression and Haploview. There are four SNPs significantly associated with MetS. The T allele of rs2963156 was associated with an increased risk effect for MetS (adjusted OR = 1.66, 95 % CI 1.25–2.22, P = 0.001). By contrast, rs10052957 A allele carriers were significantly associated with a decreased risk of MetS (adjusted OR = 0.58, 95 % CI 0.42–0.80, P = 0.001). Rs41423247 GG genotype (adjusted OR = 2.01, 95 % CI 1.25–3.22, P = 0.004), and rs7701443 AA genotype (adjusted OR = 1.88, 95 % CI 1.24–2.83, P = 0.003) were significantly associated with an increased risk of MetS. Haplotype CGGA is risk conferring (adjusted OR = 1.53, 95 % CI 1.06–2.20, P = 0.023), whereas haplotype CCAG was protective (adjusted OR = 0.30, 95 % CI 0.20–0.47, P < 0.001). Polymorphism of NR3C1 gene is associated with MetS and may contribute to the susceptibility of MetS.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (81102208), the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7133229), the National Science and Technology Support Program (2012BAI37B03), and the Importation and Development of High-Caliber Talents Project of Beijing Municipal Institutions (CIT&TCD201304181).

Conflict of interest

There was no conflict of interest in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, No. 10 Xitoutiao, You An Men, 100069, Beijing, China

    Yu-Xiang Yan, Jie Zhang, Wei Wang, Ling Zhang & Yan He

  2. Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Beijing, China

    Yu-Xiang Yan, Jie Zhang, Wei Wang, Ling Zhang & Yan He

  3. Physical Examination Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

    Jing Dong & Fen Liu

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  1. Yu-Xiang Yan
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  2. Jing Dong
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  3. Jie Zhang
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  4. Fen Liu
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  5. Wei Wang
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  6. Ling Zhang
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  7. Yan He
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Correspondence to Ling Zhang or Yan He.

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Yan, YX., Dong, J., Zhang, J. et al. Polymorphisms in NR3C1 gene associated with risk of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population. Endocrine 47, 740–748 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-014-0324-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-014-0324-9

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