Comparison of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 gene methylation levels between severely obese subjects with and without the metabolic syndrome

We have shown that the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 ( DPP4 ) gene was more expressed in the omentum of severely obese men with the metabolic syndrome (MS+) compared to men without MS (MS−). In a previous study, DPP4 mRNA levels correlated with the % methylation of CpGs near exon 2 in severely obese women regardless of their MS status. Aim To compare the omental DPP4 methylation levels between severely obese men and women MS+ vs. MS−. Method DNA was extracted from the omentum of obese men (MS+: n=14; MS−: n=12) and premenopausal women (MS+: n=19; MS−: n=60) undergoing a biliopancreatic diversion for obesity treatment. They were non‐diabetic and none were taking medication to treat MS features. Methylation levels for 10 CpGs near DPP4 exon 2 were assessed by pyrosequencing of sodium bisulfite‐treated DNA. Mehylation levels of CpG 1–10 were compared between MS+ and MS− groups. Result While including age and gender in the model, CpG 1–10 methylation levels either combined (CpG 1–10, p =0.60) or analysed separately ( p >0.30) were comparable in obese MS+ and MS− subjects. Conclusion Severely obese subjects MS+ have comparable DPP4 methylation levels to obese MS−. Grant Funding Source : Canadian Institutes of Health Research