Expression of quantitative trait loci analysis.

Background/Objectives
Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder, and its prevalence in Bangladesh is increasing at an alarming rate. Previous reports have suggested a significant association between Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and obesity, but with inconsistent results. The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (Apal, rs7975232, and Taql, rs731236) of the VDR gene and the risk of obesity in the Bangladeshi population. Moreover, we looked at serum VDR levels and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in people with obesity (n = 124) and healthy controls (n = 126).
Methods
Genotyping was performed using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). General linear model and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and P-values.
Results
Serum VDR level was downregulated in people with obesity compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001) along with significantly lower levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (P < 0.0001). For the ApaI rs7975232 (C > A) polymorphism, the CA Heterozygous genotype carried a 1.93-fold higher risk of developing obesity (OR=1.93, 95% CI = 1.10–3.41, P = 0.023). On the contrary, for TaqI, rs731236 (T > C), no significant association was found for both heterozygous and mutant homozygous genotypes.
Conclusion
We report the downregulation of serum VDR levels and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in people with obesity. Moreover, a polymorphism of Apal (rs7975232 C > A) in the VDR gene increases the risk of developing obesity in the Bangladeshi population.