Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphism rs 10767664 affects metabolic parameters after weight loss secondary to high fat hypocaloric diet with Mediterranean pattern.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of the genetic variant rs10767664 of BDNF gene on anthropometric and biochemical changes after weight loss secondary to a high-fat hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean dietary pattern.

Patients And Methods: A sample of 277 obese subjects was recruited. After subjects met the inclusion criteria, they received a nutritional intervention with a high-fat hypocaloric diet [36% of carbohydrates, 40% of fats (60.0% of monounsaturated fats, 25.0% of saturated fats and 15.0% of polyunsaturated fats) and 24% of proteins]. Biochemical and anthropometric parameters were measured at basal and 3 months.

Results: One hundred and seventy-nine subjects (64.6%) had the genotype AA (wild group) and 98 (35.4%) subjects had the next genotypes; AT (81 patients, 29.2%) or TT (17 patients, 6.2%) (Mutant group). The improvement of BMI, weight, fat mass, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, leptin, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was similar in both genotypes after dietary intervention. Secondary to weight loss and only in non-T allele, insulin levels (AA vs. At+TT) (-5.2+0.2 UI/L vs. -2.9+0.3 UI/L: p=0.02) and HOMA-IR (-2.1+0.2 units vs. -1.1+0.1 units: p=0.02) decreased significantly.

Conclusions: T allele carriers of the BDNF variant rs10767664 may be an independent predictor of the lack of improvement induced by weight loss on insulin levels and insulin resistance after a high-fat hypocaloric diet with a Mediterranean dietary pattern.