Association of the ADIPOQ-AS LncRNA polymorphism rs2241766 with obesity: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract: Adipose tissue secretes different hormones to orchestrate lipid and glucose metabolism and insulin function. Adiponectin a key signaling peptide, is encoded by ADIPOQ gene and secreted by white adipose tissue. The ADIPOQ-AS gene encodes a long non-coding RNA and overlaps with the ADIPOQ on the anti-sense DNA strand. Adiponectin plasma levels are known to decrease in obesity. Moreover, several genetic variants have been reported to associate with diminishing Adiponectin levels and consequently with obesity, such as rs2241766 (+45 T > G). Allele frequencies of this SNP vary among populations and researchers have reported conflicting results about its association with the risk of developing obesity. Since 2016, many studies were conducted to evaluate role of polymorphism rs2241766 in predisposition to develop obesity among different populations, but not a single Meta-analysis was performed to pool all the results together. The present Meta-analysis is the first that aims to assess the involvement of rs2241766 in obesity development including clinical trials that have been conducted before and after 2016. We have systematically reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2022. A total of 1272 studies were obtained, of which only 15 case-control trials (including 4362 cases and 4338 controls) met the inclusion / exclusion criteria and were included in the statistical analysis. We could not detect significant association between the polymorphism rs2241766 and obesity (all P > 0.05). Further subgroup analysis revealed slight association and more prevalence of the minor allele G, and the homozygous genotype GG in obese compared to normal weight participants in Arab and African populations. Extensive work using larger sample sizes and additional ethnic groups is needed to better define the relationship between the rs2241766 polymorphism and predisposition to obesity. Depending on these future efforts and on evidence for its direct function in disease causality, this SNP can be developed as a diagnostic biomarker and/or as a therapeutic target for obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases.