Association between Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase and Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphisms and overweight/obesity among Palestinian adults in Gaza

Abstract

The present work is dealing with the polymorphisms of MTHFR (C677T & A1298C) and ACE in obese persons at Gaza city. The association between these polymorphisms and some of the most common biochemical investigations were performed. The study was conducted on 36 men and 41 women overweight∕ obese Palestinian volunteers. The study included also 11 men and 14 women healthy individuals of ideal weight. The participants were classified by BMI as: normal weight ≤ 25 kg∕m2, overweight ˃ 25: 30 kg∕m2 and obese over 30 kg∕m2. The mean of their age was 25 and 35 for healthy and obese subjects respectively. The present work consists of two parts: 1- Biochemical analysis. 2- Genetic polymorphisms identification for MTHFR (C677T & A1298C) and ACE genes. Blood samples were collected from normal and obese persons to carry out the biochemical and DNA analysis. The biochemical investigations including evaluation of FBS, urea, creatinine, uric acid. AST, ALT and lipid profiles were also performed. PCR using specific primers for the studied genes was included. The PCR products were digested with restriction enzymes, HinfI for C677T and MboII for A1298C. The amplified products were analyzed by QIAxcel instrument in combination with QIAxcel DNA screening kit. Such technology based on capillary electrophoresis using QIAxcel gel cartridges. The data were displayed as an electropherogram or gel image. The statistical analyses were carried out for each evaluation. The results obtained could be summarized as follows: 1- The biochemical results: a- The results of the normal BMI persons: FBS, urea, creatinine, uric acid, AST and ALT indicated non-significant differences comparing to the normal range of these values. The lipid profiles of most of the healthy studied persons were found to be within the normal level with some definite exceptions. b- The results of overweight∕ obese persons: As for the means of FBS, urea, creatinine, uric acid, AST and ALT levels approached to the standard levels. The mean of lipid profiles in both sexes is exceeded the normal values in Chol, TG and LDL. Considering the examined obese men briefly 20, 25, 31 and 10 cases showed high level of Chol, TG, LDL and VLDL respectively. Two cases with higher AST values. Most of these cases showed BMI higher than 35 kg∕m2. Respecting the obese women, FBS was found in the normal range just one case has high level of AST and ALT. whereas, many cases were picked out with high readings of lipid profiles, i.e. 24, 29, 38 and 9 cases showed high score of Chol, TG, LDL and VLDL respectively. Statistical analysis for the biochemical results was performed through Chi-square test. Moreover, the relations between the different phenotypic parameters (height, weight, waist circumference) and biochemical results were found by using Pearson correlation coefficient test. Many valuable relationships were withdrawn. 2- Gene analysis: a- ACE polymorphisms: PCR products were characterized directly by capillary electrophoresis QIAxcel instrument for band size determination. The allele typing was identified through the image. Two types of alleles were produced, insertion