Polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system are not associated with overweight and obesity in a general adult population

OBJECTIVE: The increased prevalence of obesity and associated comorbidities, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, has gained attention worldwide, and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been pointed out as a possible link. Thus, the present study aimed to verify the possible association between angiotensinogen (AGT) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphisms with overweight and obesity in adults. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present investigation was a population-based cross-sectional study including 1,567 individuals from an urban area in Brazil. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated, and all individuals were genotyped for the ACE I/D and AGT M/T polymorphisms. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was higher among men, whereas obesity was more prevalent among women. However, the frequency of ACE or AGT polymorphisms was similar among body mass index (BMI) categories. In addition, the mean age-adjusted BMI averages did not change significantly for ACE or AGT polymorphisms, regardless of sex or BMI category. The age-adjusted BMI average for the combination of ACE and AGT genotypes evidenced no significant differences regardless of sex or BMI categories. Results were similar when BMI was replaced by waist circumference (WC). CONCLUSIONS: We were not able to find any associations between BMI and WC (overweight/obesity) and ACE and AGT polymorphisms, indicating that the RAS system might not be involved in overweight and obesity, at least based on genetic backgrounds. However, further studies must measure RAS components to elucidate this question.