Weight regain after slimming induced by an energy-restricted diet depends on interleukin-6 and peroxisome-proliferator-activated-receptor-γ2 gene polymorphisms

Weight-loss maintenance after following an energy-restricted diet is a major problem that a number of studies are trying to characterise. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of IL-6 -174G > C and PPAR-gamma 2 Pro12Ala variants on weight regulation in obese subjects receiving a low-energy diet and at 1 year after the acute slimming period. Sixty-seven volunteers (age 34(.)7 (sd 7(.)0) years; BMI 35(.)8 (sd 4(.)8) kg/m(2)) were enrolled in a 10-week dietary intervention and were contacted again 1 year after the end of this period. Body composition was measured at three times during the study. Also, PPAR-gamma 2 Pro12Ala and IL-6 -174G > C polymorphisms were analysed in the participants. No statistical differences were observed depending on the genetic variants at baseline for anthropometric variables, or after the intervention. However, the C allele of the -174G > C IL-6 gene polymorphism was more frequently observed (P=0(.)032) in subjects with successful weight maintenance (< 10 % weight regain). In fact, the C allele partially protected against weight regain (odds ratio 0(.)24; P=0(.)049), while the conjoint presence of both gene variants (C+ and Ala+) further improved the ability for weight maintenance (odds ratio 0(.)19; P=0(.)043). The present study demonstrates that the C allele of the -174G > C polymorphism gives protection against regain of weight lost. Moreover, the presence of the Ala allele of the PPAR gamma-2 together with the C allele strengthens this protection. These findings support a role for these polymorphisms on weight regulation and suggest a synergetic effect of both variants on weight maintenance after following a diet to lose weight.