Are endocannabinoid type 1 receptor gene

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether genetic variation at the cannabinoid receptor-1 (CNR1) locus could have an effect on adiposity, fat distribution and obesity-related metabolic disorders in Polish postmenopausal women. Design and Subjects: The A3813G (rs12720071), G1422A (rs1049353), A4895G (rs806368) and rs806381, rs10485170, rs6454674 and rs2023239 single-nucleotide polymorphisms of CNR1 were genotyped in 348 randomly selected postmenopausal women aged 50-60 years recruited from the Wroclaw city population. Measurements: CNR1 genotypes, anthropometric measures (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and body fat distribution by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) and metabolic parameters (glucose, lipid profile and Fasting Insulin Resistance Index for insulin resistance) were determined. Results: The 3813G allele was not significantly associated with higher body mass, BMI, WC, total fat or fat percentage, but was associated with higher android fat deposit (2971.78 [+ or -] 1655.08 vs 2472.64 [+ or -] 1300.53, P = 0.007) and percentage of android fat (37.59 [+ or -] 8.45 vs 35.66 [+ or -] 7.63, P = 0.062). No associations for the G1422A, A4895G, rs806381, rs10485170, rs6454674 and rs2023239 variants were observed. Conclusions: There is an association of the variants of CNR1 with obesity-related phenotypes in Polish postmenopausal women. As cannabinoid receptor type 1 is a drug target for obesity, pharmacogenetic receptor gene analysis of obesity treatment by endocannabinoid blockade may be of interest to identify the best responders. International Journal of Obesity (2011) 35, 373-377; doi: 10.1038/ijo.2010.145; published online 14 September 2010 Keywords: CNR1 polymorphism; metabolic syndrome; postmenopausal women