Background and aims: Some studies have pointed to a role of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) in the regulation of fat distribution. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of -55CT polymorphism of UCP3 gene on fat mass and adipocytokines in naïve patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Design: A population of 57 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity was analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Genotype of UCP3 gene -55CT was studied.
Results: Forty-six patients (80.7%) had the 55CC genotype and 11 patients (19.3%) the 55CT genotype. Fat mass (39.1±15.4 vs 53.3±16.8 kg; p<0.05), weight (92.6±17.7 vs 106.3±17.3 kg; p<0.05), body mass index (36.2±6.5 vs 42.8±5.2 kg/m²; p<0.05), waist circumference (112.8±13.6 vs 127.9±12.3 cm; p<0.05), waist-to-hip ratio (0.96±0.1 vs 1.1±0.2; p<0.05), C reactive protein (6.1±5.1 vs 12.4±6.1 mg/dl; p<0.05) and leptin (92.8±86 vs 114±89 ng/ml; p<0.05) were higher in patients with mutant genotype than in those with wild genotype.
Conclusion: C reactive protein and fat mass were higher in the mutant group of -55 CT UCP3 gene diabetic patients than in wild type patients.