THE STUDY OF PREDICTION OF BODY MASS INDEX THROUGH GENETIC POLYMORPHISM OF SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER GENE (SLC6A4) 5-HTTLPR IN RAKMHSU STUDENTS

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years obesity has become a major health problem and life style changes, habits aggravated the prevalence of obesity in young children.  Many studies have suggested that serotonin has been linked with the occurrence of obesity along with various other factors. Based on these facts we aimed to study the relation of serotonin allele’s expression with BMI of university students.

Materials and Methods: The study was a case control involving 66 participants done in Biochemistry department, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khamiah. A standardized diet history questionnaire used to calculate the calorie intake. The saliva was collected and using the manufactures guidelines the DNA has been extracted using DNA Genotek kit.  The polymerase chain reaction used to detect the polymorphism in the subjects. Finally DNA gel electrophoresis done to detect the alleles in different subjects.

Results: The study results showed that BMI, Waist circumference and body weight percentage was significant in overweight and obese subjects. The most common alleles in normal subjects was SS when compared with overweight and obese showing SL, LL.

Discussion and Conclusion: Our study was in accordance with other studies which showed L allele associate with obesity. We suggest that, L allele associate is a risk and can be used to assess/predict the obesity.

Key words: Obesity, Polymorphism, Overweight, Body mass index, Polymerase chain reaction