Association Between the C825T Polymorphism of the GNB3 Gene and Morphological Factors of Somatic Disorders in Students of a Northern University

Abstract

Genetic polymorphisms, in combination with unfavourable external factors, cause dysfunction of the key life support systems in the body. Studying the C825T (rs5443) polymorphism of the GNB3 gene as a genetic marker for overweight and visceral obesity will help to identify the risks of somatic disorders in young university students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the C825T polymorphism of the GNB3 gene and morphological parameters in students of a northern university. Materials and мethods. A total of 96 students of Surgut State Pedagogical University aged 17–20 years were examined. Alleles of the rs5443 polymorphism of the GNB3 gene were identified by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction using KardioGenetika kit (Russia). Body composition was assessed using Tanita BC-601 scales. Muscle, bone and fat mass as well as visceral fat and water content were determined. Correlations between the C825T alleles of the GNB3 gene and anthropometric parameters as well as body composition were established. Results. The mutant T allele of the rs5443 polymorphism of the GNB3 gene was found in 30 % of the total sample, which reflects the general population trend. The analysis of genotype frequency distribution for the C825T polymorphism of the GNB3 gene revealed a statistically significant prevalence of the homozygous C/C genotype in female and heterozygous C/T genotype in male subjects (Pearson’s χ2 test: χ2 = 7.75; p = 0.02). Overweight students were statistically significantly more likely to have a mutant T allele compared to students with normal BMI (χ2 = 5.62; p = 0.018). A moderate direct association (at p < 0.05) between certain anthropometric parameters and body composition and the C825T polymorphism of the GNB3 gene in the examined students was found.