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Leu7Pro polymorphism of PreproNPY associated with an increased risk for type II diabetes in middle-aged subjects

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 1102–1105 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives:

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays a central in energy homeostasis and potentially in the development of obesity-related comorbidities, like type II diabetes. As the PreproNPY Leu7Pro polymorphism probably changes the intracellular processing of the synthesized preproNPY peptide, we assessed the hypothesis that PreproNPY Leu7Pro polymorphism is a risk factor for type II diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and hypertension.

Design:

Blood pressure recordings and oral glucose tolerance test were performed in the hypertensive (n=515) and control cohorts (n=525) of our well-defined Oulu Project Elucidating Risk of Atherosclerosis (OPERA) study. The prevalence of type II diabetes was 9% (n=93). The genotypes, insulin and glucose metabolism indexes and plasma ghrelin of the subjects were determined.

Results:

Pro7 allele frequencies were 5.9, 5.3 and 11.3% in the total cohort, in subjects without and with type II diabetes, respectively. The PreproNPY Pro7 carrier status was a significant risk factor for type II diabetes, and the effect remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, waist circumference and study group (odds ratio=3.02, confidence interval: 1.67–5.44 and P<0.001). Pro7 carriers were more insulin resistant and showed lower ghrelin levels compared to non-carriers.

Conclusions:

The PreproNPY Pro7 allele is associated with an increased risk for type II diabetes. The risk seems to be associated with a higher insulin resistance among Pro7 carriers whereas low ghrelin concentrations in Pro7 carriers are possibly a consequence of high insulin levels.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Medical Council of the Academy of Finland and the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research. We acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Ms Heidi Häikiö and Ms Saija Kortetjärvi.

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  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    O Ukkola & Y A Kesäniemi

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  1. O Ukkola
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Correspondence to O Ukkola.

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Ukkola, O., Kesäniemi, Y. Leu7Pro polymorphism of PreproNPY associated with an increased risk for type II diabetes in middle-aged subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 1102–1105 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602621

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