Lack of association between a human β-2 adrenoceptor gene polymorphism (gln27glu) and morbid obesity

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of the gln27glu polymorphism in the beta-2 adrenoceptor gene in patients with morbid obesity. SUBJECTS: 243 patients with morbid obesity (mean body mass index 51.6) and 199 healthy blood donors. RESULTS: The same frequency, 0.42, of the glu allele was observed in both groups. Neither the incidence in obese women (0.41, n = 197) compared to control women (0.43, n = 61), nor that in obese men (0.44, n = 46) compared to control men (0.41, n = 138) was significantly different. The difference in frequency between obese men and women, 0.44 vs 0.41 was not significant (P = 0.68). Genotype information from the families of 18 of the obese patients showed no association between the glu27 allele and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: We find no evidence for a role of the glu27 Variant in the beta-2 adrenoceptor gene in the development of morbid obesity.