Mediation Role of Body Fat Distribution (FD) on the Relationship Between CAV-1 rs3807992 Polymorphism and Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Women

Abstract Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) carries increased risk of the mortality of almost all chronic diseases. The most frequently used methods for calculation of a continuous MetS (cMetS) score have used the MetS severity z- score. Caveolin-1 (CAV-1(is one of the gens that is suggested by some authors that has a great effect on the visceral fat. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between CAV-1 markers and cMetS, the associations between CAV-1 rs3807992 and FD; and to assess FD mediators of the predicted association between CAV-1 and cMetS. Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 404 overweight and obese females. The CAV-1 rs3807992 and anthropometric data were measured by the PCR-RFLP method and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), respectively. Serum profiles (HDL-C, TG, FPG, and Insulin) were measured by standard protocols. Results: Individuals with GG allele had significantly lowered (Z-MAP (p=0.02), total cMetS (p=0.03)) and higher Z-HDL (p=0.001) compared with A allele carrier. There was a significant specific indirect effect (standardized coefficient = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.01–0.4) of VFL. Although, total body fat was significantly associated with CAV-1 rs3807992 and cMetS, the specific indirect effect was not significant (standardized coefficient = 0.21; 95% CI: (-0.006,0.44). Visceral fat level contributed to significant indirect effects of 35% on the relationship between CAV-1 and cMetS. Conclusion: Higher visceral adipose tissue may affect the relationship between CAV-1 and MetS. Although CAV-1 rs3807992 is linked to visceral fat in our study, the influence of this polymorphism on MetS is not via total fat.