Background: Among many genes which have been analyzed
to understand obesity and related metabolic traits
among children and adolescents, not many studies are
conducted on LGALS3 gene, especially in population of
children. A positive correlation of circulating galectin 3
serum levels with impaired blood glucose, high blood pressure
and higher values of serum lipids and was found in
general population. The aim was to investigate possible
association of rs4644 with body mass index, glycaemia,
and lipid profile in Serbian adolescents.
Methods: The study included 72 boys and 79 girls, 14–15
years of age. Among boys 51 (67.1%) had normal values
of BMI, 11 (14.5%) were overweight, and 14 (18.4%) were
obese. Among girls, 53 (63.9%) had normal BMI, 16
(19.3%) were overweight, and 14 (16.9%) were obese.
Diabetes type 1 or 2, genetic syndromes, generalized
inflammation, cardiovascular and malignant diseases were
criteria for exclusion. Genotyping was performed by Real
time PCR.
Results: Girls carriers of CC genotype had statistically higher
mean values of BMI, and triglycerides in comparison toisothe
girls carriers of CA+AA genotypes, p=0.041, and
p=0.045, respectively. The higher frequency of obese was
found among group of girls who were carriers of CC genotype,
p=0.049. No statistically significant association was
observed among other analyzed parameters in neither
examined groups.
Results: Our research indicates that there is an association
between the CC genotype of rs4644 polymorphism with
obesity and higher triglycerides level in the group of female
adolescents.
