OBJECTIVETo explore the association between plasma fat and glucose, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels and genotypes of GR and ACTHR genes in healthy Chinese Han subjects.

METHODSTwo hundred healthy subjects were analyzed for GR and ACTHR gene polymorphisms using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Plasma lipid, glucose, cortisol, ACTH levels were determined and correlated with the genotypes.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found between plasma lipid and glucose levels and various GR and ACTHR genotypes. Subjects with AG genotype of GR 5556A/G polymorphism had lower plasma cortisol levels than AA genotype. Compared with subjects with GG genotype of GR 4534-4536GAG/AAA [GAGAGG (GluArg)>GAAAAG(GluLys)] polymorphism, those with AG genotype had significantly lower plasma cortisol levels. Subjects with CC and CG genotypes of GR 6294C/G polymorphism also had significantly lower plasma cortisol levels compared with those with GG genotype. With regard to plasma ACTH levels, those with TT genotype of ACTHR 2T/C polymorphism were significantly lower than CC and CT genotypes, and those with AG genotype for GR 5556 A/G polymorphism were also significantly lower than AA genotype.

CONCLUSIONThere was no difference in plasma cortisol and glucose levels between subjects with GR and ACTHR gene variants. GR gene variants (5556A/G, 4534-4536GAG/AAA and 6294C/G polymorphisms) may influence plasma cortisol level, and ACTHR 2T/C, GR 5556A/G polymorphisms may decrease plasma ACTH level.