The uncoupling protein 1 gene, UCP1, is expressed in mammalian islet cells and associated with acute insulin response to glucose in African American families from the IRAS Family Study
2007

UCP1 Gene and Insulin Response in African American Families

Sample size: 822 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Michèle M Sale, Fang-Chi Hsu, Nicholette D Palmer, Candace J Gordon, Keith L Keene, Hermina M Borgerink, Arun J Sharma, Richard N Bergman, Kent D Taylor, Mohammed F Saad, Jill M Norris

Primary Institution: Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Hypothesis

The study evaluates the contributions of UCP1 and UCP2 gene variants to metabolic traits in the IRAS Family Study.

Conclusion

The study suggests that a functional variant of UCP1 contributes to the variance of acute insulin response to glucose in an African American population.

Supporting Evidence

  • UCP1 A-3826G was associated with acute insulin response to glucose in African American families.
  • UCP1 expression was detected in human pancreas and co-localized with insulin in islets.
  • UCP2 A55V was associated with waist circumference and BMI in Hispanic participants.

Takeaway

This study found that a specific gene related to energy use in cells might help explain how some people respond to sugar in their blood, especially in African American families.

Methodology

The study genotyped five SNPs in 239 African American and 583 Hispanic participants, using generalized estimating equations to test for associations.

Limitations

The study's design may not have sufficient power to detect interactions between SNPs.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 239 African Americans and 583 Hispanics, with a mean age of approximately 43 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.006

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6823-7-1

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