Salma Ahmed Shawky - Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Osama Gaber - Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Ezzat Mostafa - Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Walaa Mohamed Sarhan - Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.

Background: Obesity is a multifactorial metabolic disease resulting from behavioral and genetic factors. Obesity is linked to diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which are considered as major risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD); moreover, it has a direct effect on developing CKD and end stage renal disease (ESRD). Here was aimed to examine the association between uncoupling protein ۲ (UCP۲) gene expression and obesity in CKD patients. Methods: UCP۲ gene expression was analyzed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in ۹۳ participants divided into three groups. The groups included ۳۱ non-obese CKD patients, ۳۱ obese CKD patients, and ۳۱ healthy, age-matched, unrelated volunteers as a control group. Results: UCP۲ gene expression was significantly relevant when comparing the non-obese CKD and obese CKD groups to the control group (p< ۰.۰۰۱). No significant association was found when the groups were compared by gender; Chi-square (X۲) was ۲.۳۸ and p= ۰.۳۰۴. A significant negative correlation was found between UCP۲ gene expression and BMI in CKD (p< ۰.۰۵). Conclusions: These results indicate that UCP۲ gene expression plays a significant role as a risk factor for obesity in CKD patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), obesity, Uncoupling protein ۲ (UCP۲) gene expression, Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)