# Association of Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) Variants rs8176337, rs303, and rs304 with Body Mass Index and Total Cholesterol

## TL;DR

This study found that specific genetic variants in the LPL gene are linked to higher BMI and cholesterol levels in a Kuwaiti population.

## Contribution

The novel finding is the association between the LPL variant rs8176337 and increased BMI.

## Key findings

- The G-allele of rs8176337 is associated with increased BMI (β = 1.41; p = 0.02).
- Variants rs303 and rs304 are associated with higher cholesterol and LDL levels (p < 0.05).
- LPL gene variants show significant associations with lipid levels in the studied population.

## Abstract

Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene have been found to be associated with dyslipidemia and obesity. Several InDels and SNPs in exon 1, intron 2, and intron 7 have been reported; however, their association with lipid parameters and body mass index (BMI) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship among LPL variants, lipid levels, and BMI in a Kuwaiti population. Sanger sequencing was performed on three targeted regions of the LPL gene. Based on the minor allele frequency, Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and linkage disequilibrium, five SNPs were selected and genotyped in a cohort of 688 Kuwaiti samples to investigate their association with lipid levels and BMI. A total of 30 variants (6 InDels and 24 SNPs) were identified; of them, 5 SNPs (rs1800590, rs74377536, rs8176337, rs303, and rs304) were selected for their association with BMI and lipid levels. The G-allele of rs8176337 was found to be associated with increased BMI (β = 1.41; 95% confidence interval = 0.22–2.60; p = 0.02). In addition, an association was observed for rs303 and rs304 with both cholesterol and LDL (p < 0.05). Overall, our results demonstrate an association between LPL variants and lipid levels, and the observed association between rs8176337 and BMI was novel.