Obesity is one of the main threats to the human health. It is a major
risk factor for hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type II
diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. FTO
gene variants have been associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus
in different populations, but its role in the susceptibility of these
diseases remains unknown. The present study is undertaken to assess
the contribution of the FTO rs17817449 gene variants towards obesity
and diabetes development and to evaluate the role of ghrelin and hs-
CRP on the outcome of obesity in the Upper Egyptian women. A total
of 229 subjects, 115 obese (65 non diabetics, 50 diabetics) and 114
non obese non diabetic controls were included in this case control
study. Genotyping of FTO gene rs17817449 (T>G) polymorphism
was performed by mutagenically separated PCR (MS-PCR) method.
Estimation of serum gherlin, hs-CRP levels, related anthropometric
and metabolic parameters were performed. The results revealed higher
frequency of FTO rs17817449 G allele among obese subjects (46.5%)
and obese diabetics (45%) compared to the controls (33.3%) which
comprise about 1.75 times increase in the risk for obesity (p<0.01).
The distribution of the GG and TG genotypes of FTO were 25.2%,
and 42.6% among obese non diabetic, 24% and 42% among obese
diabetic and 14.9% and 36.8% among controls respectively. FTO-GG
genotype variant was significantly associated with weight, BMI and  waist and hip circumference (p<0.05 for each). FTO GG carriers had
2.54 times the possibility to have obesity more than TT carriers.
Ghrelin levels were significantly decreased and hs-CRP levels were
significantly increased in obese subjects compared to the controls
(P<0.001 for each). There was a significant negative correlation
between serum ghrelin and hs-CRP (p<0.05). No significant
association was detected between FTO genotypes and each of ghrelin,
hs-CRP, lipid profile, fasting glucose or insulin levels. In conclusion,
the G allele of FTO rs17817449 genotyping is associated with
increased obesity risk but there is a lack of association with diabetes.
It is also associated with some obesity indices as BMI, hip and waist
circumference in the Upper Egyptian women. Both Ghrelin and hs-
CRP could play a role in developing obesity. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first study of FTO SNP in Upper Egyptian
women. Switching off this FTO faulty gene variant by the recent
therapies (as certain foods or gene therapy) will prevent the
percentage of women who is affected by this risk allele to get obese
via burning rather than storing energy.