Genetic variation in the perilipin (PLIN) gene may play a role in the etiology and treatment of obesity.

To examine different polymorphisms in the PLIN gene in relation to body-weight regulation.

118 subjects followed a 6 wk VLCD, followed by 1 year weight maintenance. Body-weight (BW), body-composition, leptin concentration, and polymorphisms of the PLIN gene: PLIN1:rs2289487, PLIN4:rs894160, PLIN6:rs1052700, PLIN5:rs2304795 and PLIN7:rs 2304796 were determined.

BW loss during VLCD was 7.0±3.1 kg (p<0.05), and BW regain was 3.7±1.4 kg (p<0.05), including changes in body mass index (BMI), waist-circumference, body-composition and leptin concentrations (p<0.05). Linkage disequilibria were observed between PLIN1 and PLIN4: D' >0.9, r²=0.72; PLIN5 and PLIN7: D' >0.9, r²=0.85. In men, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat, leptin concentrations were significantly lower for the haplotype of PLIN1 (C-alleles) and PLIN4 (A-alleles). In women weight loss and loss of fat mass were larger for the haplotype of PLIN1 (C-alleles) and PLIN4 (A-alleles). For PLIN6 genotypes body weight and body fat were lower for homozygotes of the minor allele (T/T) in the men; in the women leptin concentrations were lower. The haplotype of PLIN5 and PLIN7 consisting of A/G and G/G of PLIN5 and A/A of PLIN7 showed a reduction in FM: 5.9±0.6 kg vs 3.1±0.4 kg, % body fat: 5.5±0.6% vs 2.2±0.2%, and leptin: 20.5±10.8 ng/ml vs 12.9±6.7 ng/ml over time in the women (p<0.05).

Since the haplotype of the minor alleles PLIN1–4, PLIN5–7 and PLIN6, was related to body-weight regulation at a lower level of body-weight in the men as well in the women we conclude that the PLIN1–4, 6, and 5–7 locus appears as a genetic influencer of obesity risk in humans.