The association of catechol-O-methyltransferase genetic polymorphism rs4680 in physical activity among adult women

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to explore associations between COMT A/G rs4680 polymorphisms and physical activity (PA) among healthy middle-aged women. PA is a multifactorial trait in which dopamine plays a pivotal role. The enzyme catecholamine O-methyl transferase (COMT) degrades dopamine in the synaptic area. The COMT rs4680 genetic polymorphism results in either COMT Met allele or COMT Val allele. This functional polymorphism causes differences in enzyme activity with low enzymatic activity (and higher dopamine levels), associated with the Met allele; high enzymatic activity is associated with the Val allele. MethodNinety healthy women, aged 47+5.5 years from similar demographic backgrounds, participated in the study. PA engagement was assessed by the BAECKA questionnaire of habitual physical activity PA. Genomic DNA was extracted from buccal epithelial cells for COMT rs4680 analysis. ResultsDespite a similar demographic background of the participants, a large variance was found in all PA indexes. A-allele carriers prevalence was the significantly higher (83%) among highly active women compared to its prevalence among moderate (64%) and low (47%) active women. ConclusionsIt seems that COMT A/G rs4680 A-allele carriers might be associated with a relatively high rate of PA practitioners in general and running in particular