THE 27GLU POLYMORPHISM OF THE β2-ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR GENE INTERACTS WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON OBESITY RISK AMONG FEMALE SUBJECTS.

Genetic variability in the human β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene could be of major importance for lipolytic function in adipose tissue and also for determining energy expenditure and obesity risk.1 Furthermore, exercise produces an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity,2 whose response may be impaired by ADRB2 dysfunction. In this context, a case-control study was conducted to examine the possible association between obesity risk and the 27Glu polymorphism of the ADRB2 gene depending of physical activity. We screened 252 female Spanish subjects for the 27Glu polymorphism. The serie encompassed 139 obese women with body mass index (BMI) higher than 30 kg/m2 and no other major disease except for type 2 diabetes, and 113 healthy women with BMI<25 kg/m2. Face-to-face interviews together with validated questionnaires were conducted with participants to collect information about their involvement in different physical activities and hours spent sitting down during leisure time. We assigned Metabolic Equivalents (METs) to each activity, obtaining a value of overall weekly METs-hours per participant.3 The ratio between METs hours/week an