Polymorphism of neuropeptide Y gene rs16147 modifies the response to a hypocaloric diet on cardiovascular risk biomarkers and adipokines

Background The main genetic variant described in NPY gene is rs16147 (G‐399A) and it is located within the promoter region upstream of the gene for neropeptide Y (NPY). We evaluate the effects of the rs16147 NPY gene polymorphism on metabolic changes secondary to weight loss after 3 months of a hypocaloric diet in adult obese patients. Methods A population of 82 obese patients was analysed in an interventional design of one arm. Before and after 3 months on a hypocaloric diet, an anthropometric evaluation, an assessment of nutritional intake and a biochemical analysis were performed. The statistical analysis was performed for combined GA and AA as a group (minor allele group) and GG as second group (major allele group) (dominant model). Results In A allele carriers, the mean (SD) decrease in weight was −2.8 (2.2) kg [decrease in non A allele carriers −2.6 (1.1) kg, P > 0.05), body mass index was −1.2 (0.6) kg m−2 [decrease in non A allele carriers −1.1 (0.8) kg m−2, P > 0.05], fat mass was −1.7 (1.4) kg [decrease in non A allele carriers −1.9 (1.3) kg, P > 0.05], waist circumference was −5.5 (3.4) cm [decrease in non A allele carriers −3.7 (4.1) cm, P = 0.006], C‐reactive protein (CRP) was −0.7 (0.6) mg dL−1 [decrease in non A allele carriers −0.1 (0.3) mg dL−1, P = 0.02], insulin was −1.5 (0.4) mUI L−1 [decrease in non A allele carriers −0.8 (2.0) mUI L−1, P = 0.001] and homeostasis model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was −0.4 (0.5) [decrease in non A allele carriers −0.2 (0.1), P = 0.005]. interleukin (IL)‐6 changes were significant in A allele carriers [−0.7 (0.2) pg mL−1] versus non A allele carriers [−0.1 (0.3) pg mL−1] (P = 0.01). Conclusions We found that the rs164147 genotype affected the reduction of waist circumference, HOMA‐IR, insulin, CRP and IL‐6 levels in response to weight loss diet in obese subjects.