FTO rs9939609 influence on adipose tissue localization in the Italian population

G. Merra, P. Gualtieri, G. Cioccoloni, S. Falco, G. Bigioni, M.G. Tarsitano, A. Capacci, A. Piccioni, M. Costacurta, F. Franceschi, L. Di Renzo

Section of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. giuseppe.merra@policlinicogemelli.it

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• Nutrition

OBJECTIVE: Among the genes involved in obesity, the Fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) is certainly one of the most known and the relation between FTO rs9939609 and BMI is highly discussed; nevertheless, data about its influence on body composition are limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a study on a sample of 1066 Italian subjects, whose body composition and FTO rs9939609 were analyzed.

RESULTS: We found significant relations between FTO with arm (p=0.01), abdomen (p=0.00), and trunk circumferences (p=0.00), BMI (p=0.01), FM% (p=0.00), and android FM% (p=0.01), whereas no relations were found between FTO and both gynoid fat and lean mass.

CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, the relation between FTO and BMI is confirmed and is related specifically with android FM%. These results indicated that FTO rs9939609 may be a genetic etiological factor for obesity. Indeed, the specificity for the android FM% would indicate FTO as an etiological factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases.

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