A 45-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism of UCP2 gene is associated with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MeS) is being recognized as a risk factor for insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. The present study was aimed to find out the possible association between 45-bp I/D polymorphism of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and MeS. METHODS: DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 151 subjects with and 149 subjects without MeS. 45-bp I/D variant of UCP2 was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Our finding showed that 45-bp I/D polymorphism was associated with protection against MeS (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.34-0.92, p = 0.020 D/I vs DD and OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.34-0.86, p = 0.009; D/I + I/I vs D/D). The I allele decreased the risk of MeS (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.44-0.90, p = 0.011) in comparison with D allele. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our result suggests that 45-bp I/D polymorphism is associated with the risk of MeS, which remains to be cleared.