Genetic markers of inflammation may not contribute to metabolic traits in Mexican children

BACKGROUND Low-grade chronic inflammation is a common feature of obesity and its cardio-metabolic complications. However, little is known about a possible causal role of inflammation in metabolic disorders. Mexico is among the countries with the highest obesity rates in the world and the admixed Mexican population is a relevant sample due to high levels of genetic diversity. METHODS Here, we studied 1,462 Mexican children recruited from Mexico City. Six genetic variants in five inflammation-related genes were genotyped: rs1137101 (leptin receptor (LEPR)), rs7305618 (hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1A)), rs1800629 (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA)), rs1800896, rs1800871 (interleukin-10 (IL-10)), rs1862513 (resistin (RETN)). Ten continuous and eight binary traits were assessed. Linear and logistic regression models were used adjusting for age, sex, and recruitment centre. RESULTS We found that one SNP displayed a nominal evidence of association with a continuous trait: rs1800871 (IL-10) with LDL (beta = -0.068 ± 1.006, P = 0.01). Subsequently, we found one nominal association with a binary trait: rs7305618 (HNF1A) with family history of hypertension (odds-ratio = 1.389 [1.054-1.829], P = 0.02). However, no P-value passed the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. DISCUSSION Our data in a Mexican children population are consistent with previous reports in European adults in failing to demonstrate an association between inflammation-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and metabolic traits.