The common polymorphism rs4994 [c. T387C, p. Trp64Arg (W64R)] of the lipolysis regulator beta-3-adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) was identified as a marker in the pathogenesis of hyperuricemia. As gout is characterized by elevated serum concentrations of uric acid, we investigated ADRB3 as a potential candidate for gout.
This was a prospective case-control study in a group of 421 male patients with gout and 312 gout-free male controls to genotype the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs4994 of ADRB3 gene.
Our results showed that the C allele carrier confers a significantly higher risk for development of gout [chi-square = 4.91, df = 1, p = 0.027, OR 1.95 (adjusted by age, total cholesterol level, and body mass index), 95% CI 1.22-3.13 by dominant mode]. There was significantly higher uric acid level in carriers of the Arg64/Arg64 genotype in controls compared to non-carriers (480.5 mmol/l vs 315.0 mmol/l, respectively).
ADRB3 rs4994 polymorphism is a potential candidate for the pathogenesis of gout in a male Chinese population.