Both the gene encoding the α subunit of G stimulatory proteins (
GNAS1) and the β3 subunit gene (
GNB3) of G proteins are associated with obesity and/or hypertension. Moreover, the TT/TC825 polymorphism of
GNB3 predicts greater weight loss than the CC825 polymorphism in obese patients (mean body mass index, 35 kg/m
2) undergoing a structured nonpharmacologic weight loss program. Gastric banding enforces a low-calorie diet by diminishing
the need for volitional adherence. It is unknown whether these polymorphisms predict the variable weight loss in patients
after bariatric surgery. Three hundred and four severely obese patients (mean +- SEM age, 42 +- 1 years; 245 women and 59
men; mean +- SEM body mass index, 43.9 +- 0.3 kg/m
2) followed prospectively for at least 3 years after surgery were genotyped for theGNB3C825T, G814A,andGNAS1T393 polymorphisms.
All analyses were performed blinded to the phenotypic characteristics of the study group. Frequencies of polymorphisms were
comparable to those previously published. No polymorphism studied predicted 3-year weight loss or was associated with high
blood pressure in severely obese patients after gastric banding. Multivariate analysis of potentially confounding factors
such as reoperation rate or use of sibutramine or orlistat revealed similar results (
P > 0.1). Regardless of the mechanism(s) involved for these discordant findings,
GNB3 C825T, G814A, and
GNAS1 T393C polymorphisms do not seem to be reliable predictors of long-term weight loss.
Key words Gprotein - GNB3 C825T - GNB3 G814A - GNAS1 T393C - severe obesity - treatment outcome
Presented at the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, New Orleans, Louisiana, May
15–19, 2004 (oral presentation).