Haptoglobin 2-2 Genotype Is Associated with TNF-α and IL-6 Levels in Subjects with Obesity

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between Haptoglobin (HP) gene polymorphisms with inflammatory status in obese subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 276 apparently healthy men and nonpregnant obese women were enrolled and allocated according to the HP genotype into the HP (1)/HP (1), HP (2)/HP (1), and HP (2)/HP (2) groups. Distribution of HP genotypes was 49, 87, and 140 for the HP (1)/HP (1), HP (2)/HP (1), and HP (2)/HP (2), respectively. The HP genotype was determined using the polymerase chain reaction method. A multiple linear regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, waist circumference, and total body fat was used to determine the association between HP genotypes with TNF- α , IL-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. RESULTS A multiple linear regression analysis adjusted by sex, waist circumference, and total body fat was performed showing a significant association between the HP (2)/HP (2) genotype and TNF- α ( β = 0.180; 95% CI 14.41-159.64, P = 0.01) and IL-6 ( β = 0.188; 95% CI 1.53-12.72, P = 0.01) levels, but not with hsCRP ( β = -0.008; 95% CI -1.64-1.47, P = 0.914) levels, whereas the HP (2)/HP (1) genotype showed no association compared with the HP (1)/HP (1) genotype (control group). CONCLUSION Results of our study show that the HP (2)/HP (2) genotype is associated with elevated TNF- α and IL-6, but not with hsCRP, levels in obese subjects.