Association Study Between Metabolic Syndrome and rs8066560 Polymorphism in the Promoter Region of Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Transcription Factor 1 Gene in Iranian Children and Adolescents

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent disorder in pediatric age groups, described by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF-1) induces the expression of a family of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis. Moreover, dysregulation of miR-33b, which is located within the intron 17 of the SREBF-1 gene, disrupts fatty acid oxidation and insulin signaling, thus leading to MetS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between SREBF-1 rs8066560 polymorphism and MetS in Iranian children and adolescents. METHODS: This study includes 100 MetS and 100 normal individuals aged 9–19 years. Anthropological and biochemical indexes were measured. The -1099G > A polymorphism was genotyped by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in anthropometric measurements and lipid profiles between MetS and normal children. There were no differences in the genotype frequencies or allele distribution for -1099G > A polymorphism between MetS and control groups. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the MetS GG group than in the A allele carrier group. The genotype AA controls had significantly increased cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than AG genotypes. By logistic regression using different genetic models, no significant association was observed between SREBF-1 rs8066560 polymorphism and the risk of MetS. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the -1099G > A variant on SREBF-1 gene associated with serum lipid profiles, however, it may not be a major risk factor for the MetS in Iranian children and adolescents.