Objective: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a cornerstone in the hypothalamic regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Polymorphisms in the BDNF gene may thus contribute to obesity traits. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the association of rs6265 and rs7934165 BDNF polymorphisms in women from Northeast Mexico classified as obese or overweight using their BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).
Patients and methods: A total of 296 women were enrolled and further divided into normal weight and obese overweight groups according to their BMI status and WHtR classifications, which were low and high at < 0.50 and ≥ 0.50, respectively. Genotyping of BDNF rs6265 and rs7934165 polymorphisms was performed using a TaqMan assay. Distinct anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary parameters were obtained and used as covariates in the statistical analyses.
Results: The rs6265-G allele and its homozygote state (GG) were the most prominent without statistically significant differences between groups (p = 0.412). The study of rs7934165 with BMI showed marginal associations. Moreover, the rs7934165-AA genotype was more frequent among individuals with a high WHtR than those with a low WHtR (43.4 vs. 25.2%, p = 0.01). This association was maintained after adjustments for age and caloric intake through logistic regression analysis (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.15-4.18, p = 0.016).
Conclusions: The present study indicates that the BDNF-rs7934165-AA genotype is associated with a higher WHtR which is related to central obesity and its comorbidities. This suggests that this SNP could act as a potential biomarker for central obesity and cardiometabolic risk.