PNPLA3 mRNA expression in the liver was positively related to obesity (r = 0.62, p < 0.0001) and to liver fat content (r = 0.58, p = 0.025) in participants who were not morbidly obese (BMI < 40 kg/m(2)).
A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2072907 in the adiponutrin gene (ADPN) was not associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes in Chinese population.
Three variants in PNPLA3 showed association with obesity before, but not after, adjustment for age and gender (rs139051, rs12483959, and rs2072907, p>0.05).
This study aimed to replicate the association between PNPLA3 variants and obesity, and to investigate their effect on insulin resistance and beta-cell function.