Haptoglobin 2-2 Genotype Is Associated with TNF-α and IL-6 Levels in Subjects with Obesity

Objective. To evaluate the association between Haptoglobin (HP) gene polymorphisms with inflammatory status in obese subjects. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 276 apparently healthy men and nonpregnant obese women were enrolled and allocated according to the HP genotype into the HP1/HP1, HP2/HP1, and HP2/HP2 groups. Distribution of HP genotypes was 49, 87, and 140 for the HP1/HP1, HP2/HP1, and HP2/HP2, respectively. The HP genotype was determined using the polymerase chain reaction method. A multiple linear regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, waist circumference, and total body fat was used to determine the association between HP genotypes with TNF-alpha, IL-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Results. A multiple linear regression analysis adjusted by sex, waist circumference, and total body fat was performed showing a significant association between the HP2/HP2 genotype and TNF-alpha (beta = 0.180; 95% CI 14.41-159.64, P = 0.01) and IL-6 (beta = 0.188; 95% CI 1.53-12.72, P = 0.01) levels, but not with hsCRP (beta = -0.008; 95% CI -1.64-1.47, P = 0.914) levels, whereas the HP2/HP1 genotype showed no association compared with the HP1/HP1 genotype (control group). Conclusion. Results of our study show that the HP2/HP2 genotype is associated with elevated TNF-alpha and IL-6, but not with hsCRP, levels in obese subjects.