1
|
Codazzi V, Frontino G, Galimberti L, Giustina A, Petrelli A. Mechanisms and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. Endocrine 2024; 84:16-28. [PMID: 38133765 PMCID: PMC10987369 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03642-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder characterized by abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and elevated fasting blood glucose levels. The diagnostic criteria for MetS in adults are well-established, but there is currently no consensus on the definition in children and adolescents. The etiology of MetS is believed to involve a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. While genetic predisposition explains only a small part of MetS pathogenesis, modifiable environmental risk factors play a significant role. Factors such as maternal weight during pregnancy, children's lifestyle, sedentariness, high-fat diet, fructose and branched-chain amino acid consumption, vitamin D deficiency, and sleep disturbances contribute to the development of MetS. Early identification and treatment of MetS in children and adolescents is crucial to prevent the development of chronic diseases later in life. In this review we discuss the latest research on factors contributing to the pathogenesis of MetS in children, focusing on non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors, including genetics, dysbiosis and chronic low-grade inflammation.
Collapse
|
2
|
Chermon D, Birk R. Predisposition of the Common MC4R rs17782313 Female Carriers to Elevated Obesity and Interaction with Eating Habits. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1996. [PMID: 38002939 PMCID: PMC10671328 DOI: 10.3390/genes14111996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The global rise in obesity is attributed to genetic predisposition interaction with an obesogenic environment. Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) rs17782313 polymorphism has been linked to common obesity with varying influence across different populations. MC4R is a crucial player in the leptin proopiomelanocortin pathway that regulates weight hemostasis. We aimed to study MC4R rs17782313 and its interaction with eating behaviors on obesity predisposition in the Israeli population. Adults' (n = 5785, >18 y) genotype and anthropometric and demographic data were analyzed using logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, T1DM, and T2DM. MC4R rs17782313 significantly predisposes to elevated obesity risk under the recessive and additive models (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.1-1.72, p = 0.005 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.01-1.2, p = 0.03, respectively) adjusted for confounders (age, sex, T1DM, and T2DM). Stratification by sex demonstrated that carrying the common MC4R rs17782313 is significantly associated with an elevated predisposition to obesity under the recessive model among females only (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.09-1.82, p = 0.01), with an average of 0.85 BMI increment compared with wild type and one risk allele carriers. MC4R rs17782313 significantly interacted with several eating behaviors to enhance the risk of obesity. Our findings demonstrate that MC4R rs17782313 homozygous female carriers are significantly predisposed to obesity amplified by eating behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Birk
- Nutrition Department, Health Sciences Faculty, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Carrasco-Luna J, Navarro-Solera M, Gombert M, Martín-Carbonell V, Carrasco-García Á, Del Castillo-Villaescusa C, García-Pérez MÁ, Codoñer-Franch P. Association of the rs17782313, rs17773430 and rs34114122 Polymorphisms of/near MC4R Gene with Obesity-Related Biomarkers in a Spanish Pediatric Cohort. Children (Basel) 2023; 10:1221. [PMID: 37508717 PMCID: PMC10378299 DOI: 10.3390/children10071221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a multifactorial disease whose onset and development are shaped by the individual genetic background. The melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R) is involved in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Some of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of this gene are related to obesity and metabolic risk factors. The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between three polymorphism SNPs, namely, rs17782313, rs17773430 and rs34114122, and obesity and metabolic risk factors. One hundred seventy-eight children with obesity aged between 7 and 16 years were studied to determine anthropometric variables and biochemical and inflammatory parameters. Our results highlight that metabolic risk factors, especially alterations in carbohydrate metabolism, were related to rs17782313. The presence of the minor C allele in the three variants (C-C-C) was significantly associated with anthropometric measures indicative of obesity, such as the body mass and fat mass indexes, and increased the values of insulinemia to 21.91 µIU/mL with respect to the wild type values. Our study suggests that the C-C-C haplotype of the SNPs rs17782313, rs17773430 and rs34114122 of the MC4R gene potentiates metabolic risk factors at early ages in children with obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Carrasco-Luna
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department for Biotechnology, Faculty of Experimental Science, Catholic University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - María Navarro-Solera
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Marie Gombert
- Biosciences Division, Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
| | - Vanessa Martín-Carbonell
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Álvaro Carrasco-García
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Cristina Del Castillo-Villaescusa
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Doctor Peset, Foundation of Promotion of Health, Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), 46020 Valencia, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel García-Pérez
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Valencia, INCLIVA, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Codoñer-Franch
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Doctor Peset, Foundation of Promotion of Health, Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), 46020 Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vourdoumpa A, Paltoglou G, Charmandari E. The Genetic Basis of Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:1416. [PMID: 36986146 PMCID: PMC10058966 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence represents one of the most challenging public health problems of our century owing to its epidemic proportions and the associated significant morbidity, mortality, and increase in public health costs. The pathogenesis of polygenic obesity is multifactorial and is due to the interaction among genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. More than 1100 independent genetic loci associated with obesity traits have been currently identified, and there is great interest in the decoding of their biological functions and the gene-environment interaction. The present study aimed to systematically review the scientific evidence and to explore the relation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs) with changes in body mass index (BMI) and other measures of body composition in children and adolescents with obesity, as well as their response to lifestyle interventions. Twenty-seven studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, which consisted of 7928 overweight/obese children and adolescents at different stages of pubertal development who underwent multidisciplinary management. The effect of polymorphisms in 92 different genes was assessed and revealed SNPs in 24 genetic loci significantly associated with BMI and/or body composition change, which contribute to the complex metabolic imbalance of obesity, including the regulation of appetite and energy balance, the homeostasis of glucose, lipid, and adipose tissue, as well as their interactions. The decoding of the genetic and molecular/cellular pathophysiology of obesity and the gene-environment interactions, alongside with the individual genotype, will enable us to design targeted and personalized preventive and management interventions for obesity early in life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Vourdoumpa
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - George Paltoglou
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aragón-Vela J, Alcalá-Bejarano Carrillo J, Moreno-Racero A, Plaza-Diaz J. The Role of Molecular and Hormonal Factors in Obesity and the Effects of Physical Activity in Children. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:15413. [PMID: 36499740 PMCID: PMC9737554 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and overweight are defined as abnormal fat accumulations. Adipose tissue consists of more than merely adipocytes; each adipocyte is closely coupled with the extracellular matrix. Adipose tissue stores excess energy through expansion. Obesity is caused by the abnormal expansion of adipose tissue as a result of adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. The process of obesity is controlled by several molecules, such as integrins, kindlins, or matrix metalloproteinases. In children with obesity, metabolomics studies have provided insight into the existence of unique metabolic profiles. As a result of low-grade inflammation in the system, abnormalities were observed in several metabolites associated with lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid pathways. In addition, obesity and related hormones, such as leptin, play an instrumental role in regulating food intake and contributing to childhood obesity. The World Health Organization states that physical activity benefits the heart, the body, and the mind. Several noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, can be prevented and managed through physical activity. In this work, we reviewed pediatric studies that examined the molecular and hormonal control of obesity and the influence of physical activity on children with obesity or overweight. The purpose of this review was to examine some orchestrators involved in this disease and how they are related to pediatric populations. A larger number of randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes and long-term studies could lead to the discovery of new key molecules as well as the detection of significant factors in the coming years. In order to improve the health of the pediatric population, omics analyses and machine learning techniques can be combined in order to improve treatment decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerónimo Aragón-Vela
- Department of Health Sciences, Area of Physiology, Building B3, Campus s/n “Las Lagunillas”, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Jesús Alcalá-Bejarano Carrillo
- Department of Health, University of the Valley of Mexico, Robles 600, Tecnologico I, San Luis Potosí 78220, Mexico
- Research and Advances in Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Avda, del Conocimiento s/n, 18016 Armilla, Spain
| | - Aurora Moreno-Racero
- Research and Advances in Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Center of Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Avda, del Conocimiento s/n, 18016 Armilla, Spain
| | - Julio Plaza-Diaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS, Granada, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, 18014 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hoseini Tavassol Z, Mousavi SM, Molaei B, Bandarian F, Ejtahed HS, Khalagi K, Ghannadi S, Larijani B, Hasani-Ranjbar S. Association of fat mass and obesity-associated ( FTO) gene polymorphisms with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Iranian population: A systematic review of observational studies. J Diabetes Metab Disord 2022; 21:1975-1989. [PMID: 36404828 PMCID: PMC9672241 DOI: 10.1007/s40200-022-01139-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Background Single nucleotide polymorphisms have been implicated in various diseases, most notably non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The aim of this study was to review available evidence regarding associations between FTO polymorphisms and NCDs in the Iranian population. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted through PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases up to December 2021, as well as reference lists of pertinent articles and key journals. All observational studies that examined the association between FTO gene polymorphisms and NCDs in the Iranian population were included. There was no limitation on the publication year. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the study's quality. Results The initial search yielded 95 studies, of which 30 studies were included in the current systematic review. The underlying disorders were obesity, type 2 diabetes, breast and colorectal cancers, depression, and metabolic syndrome. These studies found an association between FTO gene polymorphisms and obesity in the Iranian population, but the relationship with other NCDs was debatable. Even though, other diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are closely related to obesity, may also be associated with FTO gene polymorphisms. Conclusion FTO gene polymorphism appears to play a role in the occurrence of NCDs. Some of the study results may be misleading due to ethnic differences and the effect of other genetic factors on disease onset, which needs to be investigated further. Finally, FTO gene polymorphisms can be studied as a preventive or therapeutic target. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-022-01139-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Hoseini Tavassol
- Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Mousavi
- Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Molaei
- Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Bandarian
- Metabolomics and Genomics Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institutes, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh-Sadat Ejtahed
- Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Khalagi
- Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Ghannadi
- Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shirin Hasani-Ranjbar
- Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chermon D, Birk R. FTO Common Obesity SNPs Interact with Actionable Environmental Factors: Physical Activity, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Wine Consumption. Nutrients 2022; 14. [PMID: 36235854 DOI: 10.3390/nu14194202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic background is estimated to play >50% in common obesity etiology. FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are strongly associated with BMI, typically in European cohorts. We investigated the interaction of common FTO SNPs with actionable environmental factors, namely physical activity, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and wine consumption, and verified FTO common SNPs predisposition to obesity in the Israeli population. Adults’ (>18 years old, n = 1720) FTO common SNPs data and lifestyle and nutrition habits questionnaires were analyzed using binary logistic regression models, adjusted for confounding variables (age, sex) assuming dominant, recessive and additive genetic models. Eighteen FTO SNPs were associated with significant increased obesity risk and interacted with physical activity (p < 0.001), wine consumption (p < 0.014) and SSB consumption (p < 0.01). Inactive rs9939609 risk-allele carriers had significantly higher obesity risk compared to their active counterparts (OR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.91−3.39 and OR = 3.77, 95% CI 2.47−5.75; p < 0.001 with 3.1 and 3.5 BMI increment for heterozygotes and homozygotes, respectively). SSB consumption (≥1 serving/day) significantly raised obesity risk and wine consumption (1−3 drinks/weekly) significantly lowered obesity risk for rs9939609 risk-allele carriers (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.05−2.27; p = 0.028 and OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.47−0.79; p < 0.001, respectively). Our findings demonstrate that actionable lifestyle factors modify the common FTO obesity risk in predisposed carriers, and they have personal and public health implications.
Collapse
|
8
|
Duis J, Butler MG. Syndromic and Nonsyndromic Obesity: Underlying Genetic Causes in Humans. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2101154. [PMID: 35680611 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202101154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence supports syndromic and nonsyndromic causes of obesity, including genome-wide association studies, candidate gene analysis, advanced genetic technology using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and identification of copy number variants. Identification of susceptibility genes impacts mechanistic understanding and informs precision medicine. The cause of obesity is heterogeneous with complex biological processes playing a role by controlling peptides involved in regulating appetite and food intake, cellular energy, and metabolism. Evidence for heritability shows genetic components contributing to 40%-70% of obesity. Monogenic causes and obesity-related syndromes are discussed and illustrated as well as biological pathways, gene interactions, and factors contributing to the obesity phenotype. Over 550 obesity-related single genes have been identified and summarized in tabular form with approximately 20% of these genes have been added to obesity gene panels for testing by commercially available laboratories. Early studies show that about 10% of patients with severe obesity using NGS testing have a pathogenic gene variant. Discussion to help characterize gene-gene interactions and disease mechanisms for early diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors contributing to disease is incorporated in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Duis
- Section of Genetics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13123 E 16th Ave, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Merlin G Butler
- Division of Research and Genetics, Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, MS 4015, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mahmoud R, Kimonis V, Butler MG. Genetics of Obesity in Humans: A Clinical Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11005. [PMID: 36232301 PMCID: PMC9569701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a complex multifactorial disorder with genetic and environmental factors. There is an increase in the worldwide prevalence of obesity in both developed and developing countries. The development of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) has increased the discovery of genetic associations and awareness of monogenic and polygenic causes of obesity. The genetics of obesity could be classified into syndromic and non-syndromic obesity. Prader–Willi, fragile X, Bardet–Biedl, Cohen, and Albright Hereditary Osteodystrophy (AHO) syndromes are examples of syndromic obesity, which are associated with developmental delay and early onset obesity. Non-syndromic obesity could be monogenic, polygenic, or chromosomal in origin. Monogenic obesity is caused by variants of single genes while polygenic obesity includes several genes with the involvement of members of gene families. New advances in genetic testing have led to the identification of obesity-related genes. Leptin (LEP), the leptin receptor (LEPR), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), prohormone convertase 1 (PCSK1), the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), single-minded homolog 1 (SIM1), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 2 gene (NTRK2) have been reported as causative genes for obesity. NGS is now in use and emerging as a useful tool to search for candidate genes for obesity in clinical settings.
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R), expressed abundantly in the hypothalamus, is a critical regulator of energy homeostasis, including both food intake and energy expenditure. Shortly after the publication in 1997 of the Mc4r knockout phenotypes in mice, including increased food intake and severe obesity, the first mutations in MC4R were reported in humans in 1998. Studies in the subsequent two decades have established MC4R mutation as the most common monogenic form of obesity, especially in early-onset severe obesity. Studies in animals, from fish to mammals, have established the conserved physiological roles of MC4R in all vertebrates in regulating energy balance. Drug targeting MC4R has been recently approved for treating morbid genetic obesity. How the MC4R can be exploited for animal production is highly worthy of active investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Xiong Tao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Asadi M, Amoli M, Ansari Y, Far I, Pashaie N, Noroozi N. Association study of Melanocortin-4 Receptor (rs17782313) and PKHD1 (rs2784243) variations and early incidence of obesity at the age of maturity. Adv Hum Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/aihb.aihb_160_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
12
|
Panera N, Mandato C, Crudele A, Bertrando S, Vajro P, Alisi A. Genetics, epigenetics and transgenerational transmission of obesity in children. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1006008. [PMID: 36452324 PMCID: PMC9704419 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1006008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sedentary lifestyle and consumption of high-calorie foods have caused a relentless increase of overweight and obesity prevalence at all ages. Its presently epidemic proportion is disquieting due to the tight relationship of obesity with metabolic syndrome and several other comorbidities which do call for urgent workarounds. The usual ineffectiveness of present therapies and failure of prevention campaigns triggered overtime a number of research studies which have unveiled some relevant aspects of obesity genetic and epigenetic inheritable profiles. These findings are revealing extremely precious mainly to serve as a likely extra arrow to allow the clinician's bow to achieve still hitherto unmet preventive goals. Evidence now exists that maternal obesity/overnutrition during pregnancy and lactation convincingly appears associated with several disorders in the offspring independently of the transmission of a purely genetic predisposition. Even the pre-conception direct exposure of either father or mother gametes to environmental factors can reprogram the epigenetic architecture of cells. Such phenomena lie behind the transfer of the obesity susceptibility to future generations through a mechanism of epigenetic inheritance. Moreover, a growing number of studies suggests that several environmental factors such as maternal malnutrition, hypoxia, and exposure to excess hormones and endocrine disruptors during pregnancy and the early postnatal period may play critical roles in programming childhood adipose tissue and obesity. A deeper understanding of how inherited genetics and epigenetics may generate an obesogenic environment at pediatric age might strengthen our knowledge about pathogenetic mechanisms and improve the clinical management of patients. Therefore, in this narrative review, we attempt to provide a general overview of the contribution of heritable genetic and epigenetic patterns to the obesity susceptibility in children, placing a particular emphasis on the mother-child dyad.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Panera
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Mandato
- Pediatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salermo, Italy
- *Correspondence: Anna Alisi, ; Claudia Mandato,
| | - Annalisa Crudele
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Bertrando
- Pediatrics Clinic, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona University Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Pietro Vajro
- Pediatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Salermo, Italy
| | - Anna Alisi
- Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Anna Alisi, ; Claudia Mandato,
| |
Collapse
|