Genetic Variant in Leptin rs7799039 Is Associated with Total Body Mineral Estimates, but Not with Fat Mass, in Young Healthy Adults.

The LEP rs7799039 AA genotype was associated with higher total body mineral content in women compared to carriers of the G allele.

• Mean total body minerals were 3.26 ± 0.52 kg in AA carriers versus 3.09 ± 0.36 kg in G allele carriers (p = 0.014)
• The association was observed specifically in women, not reported for men
• Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method targeting the LEP G-2548A (rs7799039) SNP
• Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis with InBody 770

Linear regression analysis identified LEP rs7799039 genotype, vitamin D intake, BMI, and height as statistically significant predictors of total body mineral content in women.

• All four predictors (LEP AA genotype, vitamin D intake, BMI, and height) were positively associated with higher total body mineral content (p < 0.05)
• The presence of the LEP AA genotype, reported vitamin D intake, and higher BMI and height values were each positively associated with higher total body mineral content
• This analysis was conducted specifically in women

No association was found between the LEP rs7799039 variant and BMI, fat mass, or fat mass distribution across body segments.

• Fat mass and fat mass distribution across body segments were not significantly associated with the rs7799039 variant
• BMI was also not associated with the LEP rs7799039 variant
• This was assessed in 467 young adults aged 18 to 30 years with a mean age of 22.55 ± 2.56 years

The study sample consisted of 467 young healthy Slovak adults assessed for body composition and genotyped for the LEP rs7799039 variant.

• Participants were aged 18 to 30 years with an average age of 22.55 ± 2.56 years
• Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)
• Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis using InBody 770

The authors characterized the rs7799039 findings as exploratory associations rather than evidence of biological specificity or an independent genetic effect.

• The authors state: 'These findings should be interpreted as exploratory associations, rather than evidence of biological specificity or an independent genetic effect'
• The paper describes only 'small differences in total body mineral content in young adult women' associated with the variant
• The finding was limited to one body composition parameter (total body minerals) among several examined