Tsp509I polymorphism in exon 2 of the glucocorticoid receptor gene in relation to obesity and cortisol secretion: cohort study

Editorial by Sorensen and Echwald Chronically elevated cortisol levels can increase body fat, as seen clearly in Cushing's syndrome. Subjects with abdominal obesity share many of the hormonal, metabolic, and circulatory characteristics of people with Cushing's syndrome. A dysfunctional glucocorticoid receptor may add to the adverse health effects of excessive cortisol concentrations. An Asn363Ser polymorphism in exon 2 of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (GRL) might be associated with overweight and an increased sensitivity to exogenous glucocorticoids.1 We therefore examined whether this variant was associated with altered sensitivity to glucocorticoids as well as obesity with its related metabolic and haemodynamic abnormalities in a cohort of Swedish men.2 Subjects (a total of 284 men) were randomly selected from a larger cohort of men born in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1944. The design of the study has been described elsewhere.3 Measurements reported here were carried out in Gothenburg during …