Abstract
Purpose: Obesity is a multi-factorial health problem which
results from the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The aim of
the present study was to determine the effects of dried licorice extract with a
calorie restricted diet on anthropometric indices and insulin resistance with
nutrigenetic approach.
Methods: For this
pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized
clinical trial, 72 eligible subjects were randomly
allocated to Licorice or placebo group.
They received a low-calorie diet either with a 1.5 g/day of Licorice extract or
placebo for 8 weeks.
Results: There were no significant differences in anthropometric indices and
dietary intake in genotype subgroups at the baseline. Findings indicated
that supplementation with Licorice extract did not change anthropometric
indices and biochemical parameters significantly compared to a hypocaloric diet
alone. However, from the nutrigenetic point of view, significant changes in
anthropometric indices and QUICKI were observed in the Pro12Pro genotypes
compared to the Pro12Ala at the end of the study (p<0.05 in all variables).
Moreover, no interactive effect of the Licorice supplement and Pro12Ala
genotype was found.
Conclusion: In obese subjects, the Pro/Pro polymorphism of the
PPAR-γ2 gene seems to induce favourable effects on obesity management. Further
studies are needed to clarify whether PPAR-γ2 gene polymorphisms or other
obesity genes can affect responses to obesity treatment.