Association between the rs12255372 variant of the TCF7L2 gene and obesity in a Cameroonian population. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ngwa, Elvis; Sobngwi, Eugene; Atogho-Tiedeu, Barbara; Noubiap, Jean; Donfack, Olivier; Guewo-Fokeng, Magellan; Mofo, Edith; Fosso, Priscille; Djahmeni, Eric; Djokam-Dadjeu, Rosine; Evehe, Marie-Solange; Aminkeng, Folefac; Mbacham, Wilfred; Mbanya, Jean
• Is Part Of: BMC research notes. Volume 8:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Obesity -- Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) -- Cameroon -- Sub-Saharan Africa; Medicine -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1661-3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-0500

Abstract

Abstract Background The transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2 ) is one of the genes that have been identified as possible determinants of diabetes which is associated with obesity. Data on the genetic causes of obesity in sub-Saharan African populations are very scares. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2 ) gene polymorphism (rs12255372 G/T) and obesity and weight-related traits in a Cameroonian population. Methods A case–control study was conducted on 35 obese and 30 non-obese Cameroonian adults.TCF7L2 rs12255372 genotypes were determined using PCR–RFLP and correlated with BMI and weight-related traits. Results No significant association was observed between the rs12255372 T allele (χ2 = 0.0684, p = 0.79) or the TT genotype (χ2 = 0.372, p = 0.54) of the TCF7L2 gene and obesity in the Cameroonian population. However, amongst the weight-related traits, triglycerides were significantly associated with the T risk allele of the TCF7L2 gene (p = 0.012). Conclusion This study on Cameroonian subjects replicates the absence of association between theTCF7L2 rs12255372 variant and obesity as observed in European and American populations.