Association of the rs10830963 polymorphism in MTNR1B with fasting glucose levels in Chinese children and adolescents.

AIMS We aimed to identify whether the risk G-allele was associated with fasting glucose level and other pre-diabetic and obesity-related phenotypes in Chinese children and adolescents. METHODS The rs10830963 polymorphism in MTNR1B was genotyped in 2,030 Chinese children and adolescents of two independent studies. Association with fasting glucose levels and risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were initially tested. Subsequently we analyzed the association with fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and for beta cell function (HOMA-B), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICK) and obesity-related phenotypes (BMI standard deviation score, waist circumference etc.). RESULTS The G-allele of rs10830963 was associated with increased fasting glucose level in Chinese children and adolescents (increase of 0.072 mmol/l per G-allele, 95% CI 0.034-0.111, p = 2.46 × 10(-4)). The G-allele was also associated with an increased risk of IFG (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.00-1.46, nominal p = 0.048). We found the glucose-raising G-allele was nominally associated with reduced HOMA-B. No association to other pre-diabetic or obesity-related phenotypes was detected. CONCLUSIONS The rs10830963 polymorphism in MTNR1B was associated with increased fasting glucose and risk of IFG in Chinese children and adolescents. The effect may result from reduced pancreatic beta cell function, but the mechanism awaits further studies.