The relationships of oxytocin receptor gene variants (rs53576 and rs2254298) and serum oxytocin levels with psychiatric symptoms and psychiatric diagnosis in adolescents with obesity

Abstract

Abstract Objectives We aimed to investigate the relation of oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene variants (rs53576 and rs2254298) and serum oxytocin (OXT) levels with psychiatric symptoms in healthy Turkish adolescents and matched adolescents with obesity. Methods A total of 250 adolescents with obesity and age and gender-matched 250 healthy adolescents were included in this study. Attachment properties, anxiety, and depression were evaluated with self-reports while diagnoses were ascertained with KIDDIE-SADS-PL Turkish version. Serum OXT level was studied with the ELISA method, OXTR gene variants were studied by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(rs53576) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) (rs2254298) methods. Results Serum OXT level was significantly lower in adolescents with obesity than in healthy controls. Self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression were significantly elevated, especially for female adolescents with obesity while parent/ peer attachment was significantly lower. rs53576 A/A genotype was found to be significantly higher amog obese youth. 29.2% of obese youth were diagnosed with psychopathology, especially anxiety and depression. OXT levels and receptor polymorphisms were not related with self-reported symptoms, attachment and presence of psychopathology. Conclusions Further studies should evaluate the roles of other constructs (e.g., early adversity, parenting, social supports, coping, temperament etc.) and discern the roles of parent-child synchrony in elucidating relationships between OXT, pediatric obesity and psychopathology.