Associations of -308G/A polymorphism of
tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene and serum
TNF-α levels with measures of obesity, intra-abdominal
and subcutaneous abdominal fat, subclinical inflammation and insulin resistance
in Asian Indians in north India
Affiliations: Departments of Medicine, All India Institute of
Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India | Departments of Biochemistry, All India Institute of
Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India | Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Fortis
Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India | Departments of Biostatistics, All India Institute of
Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Anoop Misra, Director, National
Diabetes, Obesity, and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), Director and Head,
Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall
Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070, India. Tel.: +91 11 4277 6222 (ext,
5029); Fax: +91 11 4277 6221; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objectives: Obesity is associated with high levels proinflammatory
cytokines like tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), which may play an
important role in the genesis of insulin resistance. We evaluated the
relationship of −308G/A polymorphism of TNF-α gene with obesity
and insulin resistance in Asian Indians in north India. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 151 apparently healthy individuals (79 males,
72 females) 18–50 yrs of age from New Delhi, India. Body composition by
dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and abdominal fat by magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) were measured. Biochemical measurements included OGTT, lipids,
fasting insulin, hs-CRP and TNF-α levels. We analysed −308G/A
polymorphism of TNF-α gene and studied its association with
obesity and biochemical parameters. Results: At comparable BMI, abdominal
obesity was more prevalent in females (50%) as compared to males (20%).
The wild genotype (GG) was present in 78.8%, GA in 17.9%, and
AA in 3.3% subjects. Measures of body composition, abdominal fat
distribution, lipids, insulin, hs-CRP and TNF-α levels were not
influenced by the presence of −308G/A polymorphism. Serum TNF-α
levels correlated significantly with fasting insulin in both genders. Conclusion: TNF-α levels correlate with fasting insulin but not with
indicators of body composition in Asian Indians. The −308G/A polymorphism of
TNF-α gene is not associated with differences in the serum levels of TNF-α in Asian Indians.
