Association of ABCG2 rs2231142-A allele and serum uric acid levels in male and obese individuals in a Han Taiwanese population

Background/Purpose Recent studies suggest that hyperuricemia is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hyperuricemia is highly heritable and is associated with sex and body weight. Previous genome-wide association studies have found that the ABCG2 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2231142 is an important genetic factor for increased uric acid (UA) levels, and the degree of association between rs2231142 and hyperuricemia is affected by both sex and ethnicity. This investigation aimed to analyze the association between ABCG2 polymorphisms and UA levels, as well as their interactions with sex and obesity in Taiwanese. Methods Two genetic polymorphisms around the ABCG2 gene were genotyped in 459 patients. Results After adjusting for clinical covariates, the rs2231142 SNP was found significantly associated with UA levels using a dominant inheritance model. Patients carrying the rs2231142-A allele had a higher frequency of hyperuricemia than those with the rs2231142-CC allele. Subgroup analysis revealed an association of rs2231142 with UA levels in male or obese patients, and there was no association in nonobese female patients. Conclusion The rs2231142 SNP is associated with serum UA levels and hyperuricemia in Taiwanese patients and it occurs predominantly in male or obese patients. Hyperuricemia might be controlled differently by sex and obesity.