Leptin gene polymorphism (rs 7799039;G2548A) is associated with changes in lipid profile during a partial meal‐replacement hypocaloric diet

Background Some studies have demonstrated a positive association of the rs7799039 genetic variant of the LEP gene with energy intake and metabolic parameters. The present study aimed to analyse the effects of the rs7799039 genetic variant of the LEP gene on metabolic parameters after weight loss secondary to a partial meal‐replacement (pMR) hypocaloric diet. Methods We conducted a non‐randomised, single‐treatment study in 122 obese subjects with body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg m–2. The subjects were treated with two intakes of a normocaloric hyperproteic formula during 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters and biochemical profile were measured at basal time and after 12 weeks. The variant genetic variant (rs7799039) of the LEP gene was assessed by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results We recruited 122 subjects [26 GG (21.3%), 59 GA (29.5%) and 37 AA (30.3%)]. The mean (SD) age of the all group was 59.4 (6.3) years (range 45–63 years) and the mean (SD) BMI was 39.3 (2.8) kg m–2 (range 36.2–45.1 kg m–2). After the pMR hypocaloric diet, body weight, BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance and blood pressure decreased in both genotypes. All of these improvements were similar in both genotypes. Moreover, after dietary intervention, only subjects without an A allele showed a significant improvement in triglycerides (GG versus GA + AA) [mean (SD) −15.3 (6.4) mg dL−1 versus −3.7 (4.3) mg dL−1: P = 0.02], total cholesterol [−25.0 (5.3) mg dL−1 versus −8.1 (3.5) mg dL−1: P = 0.02] and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol [−20.7 (4.2) mg dL−1 versus −5.4 (2.3) mg dL−1: P = 0.01]. Conclusions Subjects with an A allele of the rs7799039 variant in the LEPR gene showed a significant improvement in low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and triglycerides levels after weight loss secondary to a pMR hypocaloric diet. Subjects with A allele of rs7799039 variant in leptin gene showed a significant improvement in lipid profile with better LDLcholesterol and triglycerides levels after weight loss secondary to a pMR hypocaloric diet.