Exploring the role of genetic variation at the leptin and leptin receptor genes (LEP and LEPR) in obesity and hypertension in a black South African cohort

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dc.contributor.authorNgcungcu, Thandiswa
dc.date.accessioned2014-04-04T06:58:48Z
dc.date.available2014-04-04T06:58:48Z
dc.date.issued2014-04-04
dc.descriptionA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Medicine) in Human Genetics,2013
dc.description.abstractObesity and hypertension often occur together and are risk factors for cardio-metabolic disorders. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes have been shown to be associated with obesity and hypertension, but have not been well explored in African populations. The aims of this study were to determine the heritability estimates of anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measures and leptin levels; to identify additional informative SNPs in and around the LEP and LEPR genes; and to examine the potential relationships between these SNPs and measures of obesity, hypertension and leptin levels in a black South African cohort. Participants from the African Programme on Genes in Hypertension (APOGH) with various anthropometric and BP measurements were genotyped for LEP and LEPR SNPs using the BeadXpress platform. Heritability estimates were determined using Statistical Analysis for Genetic Epidemiology (S.A.G.E.) software and relationships between LEP or LEPR SNPs and obesity, leptin levels and hypertension were assessed using SAS 9.3 and gPLINK vs2.050, taking into account family relationships, various confounders and correcting for multiple testing. The Bonferroni method was used to correct for multiple testing and P≤0.00076 was considered as statistically significant for SNP association tests. Seven-hundred-and-thirteen individuals were successfully genotyped and there were more women (66%) than men. The prevalence of obesity (42%) and hypertension (46%) were high in the sample. Significant heritability (h2 %, P<0.05) was noted for body weight (38%), body mass index (26%), waist (35%) and hip circumference (42%), waist-to-hip ratio (46%), skinfold thickness (44%), systolic (34%), diastolic (27%) and central systolic (33%) BP; but leptin levels were not significantly heritable (h2 %=15%, P=0.228). LEP rs17151914 (P=0.0002) and LEPR rs6690661 (P=0.0007) were significantly associated with leptin levels and diastolic BP, respectively, in women. The LEP rs17151913T-rs6956510G haplotype was associated with an increase in central systolic BP in women (P=0.012 with Bonferroni correction) whereas the LEPR rs2154381C-rs1171261T haplotype was associated with lower systolic BP in men (P=0.0359 with Bonferroni correction). LEP gene variants were significantly correlated with effects on leptin levels in women and the LEPR gene variants were significantly correlated with effects on diastolic BP also in women. These results indicate that further exploration of the role of genetic variation in the LEP and LEPR genes in obesity and hypertension in individuals of African ancestry is warranted.en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net10539/14497
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.subject.meshGenes
dc.subject.meshLeptin
dc.subject.meshHypertension
dc.subject.meshObesity
dc.titleExploring the role of genetic variation at the leptin and leptin receptor genes (LEP and LEPR) in obesity and hypertension in a black South African cohorten_ZA
dc.typeThesisen_ZA
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