[C358A polymorphism of the endocannabinoid degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and adipocytokine levels in the morbidly obese].

BACKGROUND

The 385 C/A polymorphism of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has recently been demonstrated to be associated with overweight and obesity. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between missense polymorphism (cDNA 385 C->A) of the FAAH gene and anthropometric parameters, cardiovascular risk factors and adipocytokines in morbidly obese patients.

METHODS

A sample of 66 morbidly obese patients was analyzed. In all patients, weight, blood pressure, fasting glycemia, lipoprotein(a), C-reactive protein, insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride and adipocytokine levels, as well as the genotype of the C358A polymorphism of FAAH, were determined.

RESULTS

The mean age was 48.0(16.1) years and the mean body mass index was 44.4 (4.1). There were 17 males (25.8%) and 49 females (74.2%). Forty-five patients (8 males/37 females) (68.2%) were G358G (wild genotype) and 21 patients (4 males/17 females) were G358A (31.8%) (mutant group). Biochemical, anthropometrical and adipocytokine levels showed no statistically significant differences between the two genotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with morbid obesity, the C358A polymorphism of FAAH was not associated with anthropometric parameters, biochemical markers or adipocytokine levels.