Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: It was found that vitamin D could have a direct effect of on adipocyte differentiation and metabolism and might be involved in glucose regulation of insulin secretion, which may be speculated from finding of a nuclear localization of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ in the pancreatic islets. In recent years several polymorphisms in VDR gene, which are potent to alter the activity of VDR protein, have been described. BsmI and FokI polymorphisms were described in relation to obesity and type 2 diabetes. AIM of the study was to find out whether there is an association between BsmI and FokI polymorphisms and anthropometric (BMI, WHR, BP) and biochemical parameters describing metabolic syndrome.

Materials and methods: We have studied 176 randomly selected men, aged 25–65 years (mean 54.16) with mean BMI of 26.16 kg/m². Two polymorphisms of the VDR gene (FokI and BsmI) were explored using PCR-RFLP method. Serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and TG were measured using commercially available kits. The study protocol was approved by the local Ethical Committee.

Results: We found that BB carriers tend to have higher BMI comparing to bB and bb genotypes (29.0±3.7 vs 28.6±4.6 vs 26.6±3.6 respectively, P=0.0297). Similarly, FF carriers had higher fasting insulin levels comparing to fF and ff genotypes (12.4±11.5 vs 9.3±4.7 vs 5.8±2.8 respectively, P=0.0187). Beside these no significant difference were found.

Conclusions: The BsmI VDR polymorphism seems to influence BMI, while the FokI VDR polymorphism appears to affect insulin sensitivity.