OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of SNP276 in adiponectin gene in Chinese Hans and its impact on type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin sensitivity.

METHODSThe study population consisted of 417 Chinese Hans residents in Anhui province, including 141 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 276 with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The islet beta-cell insulin secretion and tissue insulin sensitivity were assessed by formulae of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR & HOMA beta). Firstly, polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) was used to determine whether variation exists in APM1. Then, exact variation was detected by automated DNA direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe genotypes of APM1 SNP276 were 0.489 GG, 0.418 GT and 0.092 TT and the major allele was G (frequency=0.699) in subjects with NGT. The distributions of genotypes and alleles of SNP276 both displayed significant difference between NGT and T2DM groups (P=0.031 and 0.013). The SNP276 non-TT (TG+GG) genotype was associated with increased risk of T2DM (OR=2.447, 95%CI: 1.067-5.612, P=0.035). In T2DM group, the subjects with SNP276 GG or GT genotype had higher body mass index, body fat content, fasting plasma glucose and HOMA-IR than did those with TT genotype (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Besides, GG genotype had higher systolic blood pressure (P=0.021). In NGT group, SNP276 non-TT carrier had increased body mass index, body fat content, waist hip ratio, fasting plasma insulin, oral glucose tolerance test 2 h plasma insulin and HOMA-IR when compared with TT genotype (P < 0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNP276 in APM1 was associated with T2DM and insulin sensitivity.