Associations between olfactory pathway gene methylation marks, obesity features and dietary intakes

The identification of a novel shared therapeutic target and drug across all insulin-sensitive tissues under insulin resistance

Background

To identify key and shared insulin resistance (IR) molecular signatures across all insulin-sensitive tissues (ISTs), and their potential targeted drugs.

Methods

Three datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were acquired, in which the ISTs (fat, muscle, and liver) were from the same individual with obese mice. Integrated bioinformatics analysis was performed to obtain the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was carried out to determine the "most significant trait-related genes" (MSTRGs). Enrichment analysis and PPI network were performed to find common features and novel hub genes in ISTs. The shared genes of DEGs and genes between DEGs and MSTRGs across four ISTs were identified as key IR therapeutic target. The Attie Lab diabetes database and obese rats were used to verify candidate genes. A medical drug-gene interaction network was conducted by using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) to find potential targeted drugs. The candidate drug was validated in Hepa1-6 cells.

Results

Lipid metabolic process, mitochondrion, and oxidoreductase activity as common features were enriched from ISTs under an obese context. Thirteen shared genes (Ubd, Lbp, Hp, Arntl, Cfd, Npas2, Thrsp., Tpx2, Pkp1, Sftpd, Mthfd2, Tnfaip2, and Vnn3) of DEGs across ISTs were obtained and confirmed. Among them, Ubd was the only shared gene between DEGs and MSTRGs across four ISTs. The expression of Ubd was significantly upregulated across four ISTs in obese rats, especially in the liver. The IR Hepa1-6 cell models treated with dexamethasone (Dex), palmitic acid (PA), and 2-deoxy-D-ribose (dRib) had elevated expression of Ubd. Knockdown of Ubd increased the level of p-Akt. A lowing Ubd expression drug, promethazine (PMZ) from CTD analysis rescued the decreased p-Akt level in IR Hepa1-6 cells.

Conclusion

This study revealed Ubd, a novel and shared IR molecular signature across four ISTs, as an effective biomarker and provided new insight into the mechanisms of IR. PMZ was a candidate drug for IR which increased p-Akt level and thus improved IR by targeting Ubd and downregulation of Ubd expression. Both Ubd and PMZ merit further clinical translational investigation to improve IR.

The Role of the Olfactory System in Obesity and Metabolism in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Obesity, linked to chronic diseases, poses a global health challenge. While the role of the olfactory system in energy homeostasis is well-documented in rodents, its role in metabolism regulation and obesity in humans remains understudied. This review examines the interplay between olfactory function and metabolic alterations in human obesity and the effects of bariatric surgery on olfactory capabilities in humans. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, focusing exclusively on original human studies. From 51 articles, 14 were selected for the meta-analysis. It was found that variations in olfactory receptor genes influence the susceptibility to odors and predisposition to weight gain and poor eating habits. Bariatric surgery, particularly sleeve gastrectomy, shows significant improvements in olfactory function (SMD 2.37, 95% CI [0.96, 3.77], I = 92%, p = 0.001), especially regarding the olfactory threshold (SMD -1.65, 95% CI [-3.03, -0.27], I = 81%, p = 0.02). There is a bidirectional relationship between olfactory function and metabolism in humans. Bariatric surgery improves olfactory perception in obese patients, but it is still unclear if impacting the olfactory system directly affects eating behavior and the energy balance. However, these findings open novel avenues for future studies addressing the olfactory system as a novel target to alter systemic metabolism in humans.

Alterations to DNA methylation patterns induced by chemotherapy treatment are associated with negative impacts on the olfactory pathway

BACKGROUND

Exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment may alter DNA methylation (DNAm) in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

We performed DNAm analysis in 125 breast cancer patients with blood drawn before and after chemotherapy, using the Illumina MethylationEPIC array. DNAm changes of 588,798 individual CpGs (including 41,207 promoter regions) were evaluated using linear regression models adjusted for monocyte proportion. Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) were conducted to identify key Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes or Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways associated with chemotherapy. Results were validated in a separate cohort of breast cancer patients who were treated (n = 1273) and not treated (n = 872) by chemotherapy (1808 blood, 337 saliva).

RESULTS

A total of 141 differentially methylated CpGs and 11 promoters were significantly associated with chemotherapy after multiple testing corrections in both the paired sample and single time point analyses. GSEA of promoter regions (pre-ranked by test statistics) identified six suppressed biological processes (p < 4.67e-8) related to sensory perception and detection of chemical stimuli, including smell perception (GO:0007606, GO:0007608, GO:0009593, GO:0050906, GO:0050907, and GO:0050911). The same six biological processes were significantly suppressed in the validation dataset (p < 9.02e-14). The KEGG pathway olfactory transduction (hsa04740) was also found to be significantly suppressed (ppaired-samples = 1.72e-9, psingle-timepoint-blood = 2.03e-15 and psingle-timepoint-saliva = 7.52e-56).

CONCLUSION

The enrichment of imprinted genes within biological processes and pathways suggests a biological mechanism by which chemotherapy could affect the perception of smell.

Nutrition, DNA methylation and obesity across life stages and generations

Obesity is a complex multifactorial condition that often manifests in early life with a lifelong burden on metabolic health. Diet, including pre-pregnancy maternal diet, in utero nutrition and dietary patterns in early and late life, can shape obesity development. Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation, might mediate or accompany these effects across life stages and generations. By reviewing human observational and intervention studies conducted over the past 10 years, this work provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence linking nutrition to DNA methylation and its association with obesity across different age periods, spanning from preconception to adulthood and identify future research directions in the field.

Genome-wide DNA methylation landscape of four Chinese populations and epigenetic variation linked to Tibetan high-altitude adaptation

DNA methylation (DNAm) is one of the major epigenetic mechanisms in humans and is important in diverse cellular processes. The variation of DNAm in the human population is related to both genetic and environmental factors. However, the DNAm profiles have not been investigated in the Chinese population of diverse ethnicities. Here, we performed double-strand bisulfite sequencing (DSBS) for 32 Chinese individuals representing four major ethnic groups including Han Chinese, Tibetan, Zhuang, and Mongolian. We identified a total of 604,649 SNPs and quantified DNAm at more than 14 million CpGs in the population. We found global DNAm-based epigenetic structure is different from the genetic structure of the population, and ethnic difference only partially explains the variation of DNAm. Surprisingly, non-ethnic-specific DNAm variations showed stronger correlation with the global genetic divergence than these ethnic-specific DNAm. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) among these ethnic groups were found around genes in diverse biological processes. Especially, these DMR-genes between Tibetan and non-Tibetans were enriched around high-altitude genes including EPAS1 and EGLN1, suggesting DNAm alteration plays an important role in high-altitude adaptation. Our results provide the first batch of epigenetic maps for Chinese populations and the first evidence of the association of epigenetic changes with Tibetans' high-altitude adaptation.

Integrated bioinformatics approach reveals methylation-regulated differentially expressed genes in obesity

Objective

To identify DNA methylation and gene expression profiles involved in obesity by implementing an integrated bioinformatics approach.

Materials and methods

Gene expression (GSE94752, GSE55200, and GSE48964) and DNA methylation (GSE67024 and GSE111632) datasets were obtained from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) in subcutaneous adipose tissue of patients with obesity were identified using GEO2R. Methylation-regulated DEGs (MeDEGs) were identified by overlapping DEGs and DMGs. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed with the STRING database and analyzed using Cytoscape. Functional modules and hub-bottleneck genes were identified by using MCODE and CytoHubba plugins. Functional enrichment analyses were performed based on Gene Ontology terms and KEGG pathways. To prioritize and identify candidate genes for obesity, MeDEGs were compared with obesity-related genes available at the DisGeNET database.

Results

A total of 54 MeDEGs were identified after overlapping the lists of significant 274 DEGs and 11,556 DMGs. Of these, 25 were hypermethylated-low expression genes and 29 were hypomethylated-high expression genes. The PPI network showed three hub-bottleneck genes (PTGS2, TNFAIP3, and FBXL20) and one functional module. The 54 MeDEGs were mainly involved in the regulation of fibroblast growth factor production, the molecular function of arachidonic acid, and ubiquitin-protein transferase activity. Data collected from DisGeNET showed that 11 of the 54 MeDEGs were involved in obesity.

Conclusion

This study identifies new MeDEGs involved in obesity and assessed their related pathways and functions. These results data may provide a deeper understanding of methylation-mediated regulatory mechanisms of obesity.

Histone modifications in fat metabolism and obesity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the obesity epidemic as one of the leading causes of overall morbidity and mortality. Obesity affects individual health, and quality of life and has negative long-term economic implications on society and the entire country. In recent years, studies on histone modifications in fat metabolism and obesity have received great attention. Processes such as methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA expression are mechanisms in epigenetic regulation. These processes play a particularly important role in cell development and differentiation through gene regulation. In this chapter, we discuss the types of histone modifications in adipose tissue under different conditions, the role of histone modifications in adipose tissue development, and the relationship between histone modifications and biosynthesis in the body. In addition, the chapter provides detailed information on histone modifications in obesity, the relationship between histone modifications and food consumption status, and the role of histone modifications in overweight and obesity.

Deficits in odor discrimination versus odor identification in patients with schizophrenia and negative correlations with GABAergic and DNA methyltransferase mRNAs in lymphocytes

Introduction

People with schizophrenia have been reported to show deficits in tests of olfactory function. DNA methylation and GABAergic input have been implicated in biochemical processes controlling odor in animal studies, but this has not been investigated in human studies.

Methods

In a study of measures of DNA methylation and GABAergic mRNAs in lymphocytes, we also measured odor identification and discrimination with the Sniffin' Sticks battery in 58 patients with chronic schizophrenia (CSZ) and 48 controls. mRNAs in lymphocytes were assessed by qPCR using TaqManTM probes. Cognition was assessed by the MATRICS battery (Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia) in CSZ and controls, and symptoms in CSZ were assessed by PANSS scale (Positive and Negative Symptom Scale). The relationships of odor deficits with mRNA, cognition, and symptoms were explored by correlation analysis. Variables which significantly differentiated CSZ from controls were explored by logistic regression.

Results

Overall, CSZ showed significantly (P≤.001) lower scores on odor discrimination compared to controls, with a moderate effect size, but no difference in odor identification. Deficits in odor discrimination, which has not been standardly assessed in many prior studies, strongly differentiated CSZ from controls. In logistic regression analysis, odor discrimination, but not odor identification, was a significant variable predicting schizophrenia versus control class membership. This is the first study to report relationship between odor deficits and DNA methylation and GABAergic mRNAs in blood cells of human subjects. There were negative correlations of odor identification with DNA methylation enzymes mRNAs and significant negative correlations with odor discrimination and GABAergic mRNAs. Lower odor scores were significantly associated with lower cognitive scores on the MATRICS battery in CSZ but not control subjects. In CSZ, lower odor scores were significantly associated with negative symptom scores, while higher odor identification scores were associated with PANNS Excitement factor.

Discussion

Odor discrimination was a more powerful variable than odor identification in discriminating CSZ from controls and should be used more regularly as an odor measure in studies of schizophrenia. The substantive meaning of the negative correlations of odor discrimination and GABAergic mRNA variables in peripheral lymphocytes of CSZ needs more investigation and comparison with results in neural tissue.

A systematic review of the biological mediators of fat taste and smell

Taste and smell play a key role in our ability to perceive foods. Overconsumption of highly palatable energy-dense foods can lead to increased caloric intake and obesity. Thus there is growing interest in the study of the biological mediators of fat taste and associated olfaction as potential targets for pharmacologic and nutritional interventions in the context of obesity and health. The number of studies examining mechanisms underlying fat taste and smell has grown rapidly in the last 5 years. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to summarize emerging evidence examining the biological mechanisms of fat taste and smell. A literature search was conducted of studies published in English between 2014 and 2021 in adult humans and animal models. Database searches were conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for key terms including fat/lipid, taste, and olfaction. Initially, 4,062 articles were identified through database searches, and a total of 84 relevant articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria and are included in this review. Existing literature suggests that there are several proteins integral to fat chemosensation, including cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). This systematic review will discuss these proteins and the signal transduction pathways involved in fat detection. We also review neural circuits, key brain regions, ingestive cues, postingestive signals, and genetic polymorphism that play a role in fat perception and consumption. Finally, we discuss the role of fat taste and smell in the context of eating behavior and obesity.

Association of Early Childhood Caries with Bitter Taste Receptors: A Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies and Transcriptome-Wide Association Study

Although genetics affects early childhood caries (ECC) risk, few studies have focused on finding its specific genetic determinants. Here, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in five cohorts of children (aged up to 5 years, total N = 2974, cohorts: Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia cohorts one and two [COHRA1, COHRA2], Iowa Fluoride Study, Iowa Head Start, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children [ALSPAC]) aiming to identify genes with potential roles in ECC biology. We meta-analyzed the GWASs testing ~3.9 million genetic variants and found suggestive evidence for association at genetic regions previously associated with caries in primary and permanent dentition, including the β-defensin anti-microbial proteins. We then integrated the meta-analysis results with gene expression data in a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS). This approach identified four genes whose genetically predicted expression was associated with ECC (p-values < 3.09 × 10−6; CDH17, TAS2R43, SMIM10L1, TAS2R14). Some of the strongest associations were with genes encoding members of the bitter taste receptor family (TAS2R); other members of this family have previously been associated with caries. Of note, we identified the receptor encoded by TAS2R14, which stimulates innate immunity and anti-microbial defense in response to molecules released by the cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus. These findings provide insight into ECC genetic architecture, underscore the importance of host-microbial interaction in caries risk, and identify novel risk genes.

Whole-Exome Sequencing identified Olfactory Receptor genes as a key contributor to extreme obesity with progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in Mexican patients: Olfactory receptor genes in obese NASH patients

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Obesity is a global health problem that triggers fat liver accumulation. The prevalence of obesity and the risk of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) among young obese Mexican is high. Furthermore, genetic predisposition is a key factor in weight gain and disrupts metabolism. Herein, we used Whole-Exome Sequencing to identify potential causal variants and the biological processes that lead to obesity with progression to NASH among Mexican patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Whole-Exome Sequencing was performed in nine obese patients with NASH diagnosis with a BMI ≥30 kg/m² and one control (BMI=24.2 kg/m²) by using the Ion S5^TM platform. Genetic variants were determined by Ion Reporter software. Enriched GO biological set genes were identified by the WebGestalt tool. Genetic variants within ≥2 obese NASH patients and having scores of SIFT 0.0-0.05 and Polyphen 0.85-1.0 were categorized as pathogenic.

RESULTS

A total of 1359 variants with a probable pathogenic effect were determined in obese patients with NASH diagnosis. After several filtering steps, the most frequent pathogenic variants found were rs25640-HSD17B4, rs8105737-OR1I1, rs998544-OR5R1, and rs4916685, rs10037067, and rs2366926 in ADGRV1. Notably, the primary biological processes affected by these pathogenic variants were the sensory perception and detection of chemical stimulus pathways in which the olfactory receptor gene family was the most enriched.

CONCLUSIONS

Variants in the olfactory receptor genes were highly enriched in Mexican obese patients that progress to NASH and could be potential targets of association studies.

Complex Feline Disease Mapping Using a Dense Genotyping Array

The current feline genotyping array of 63 k single nucleotide polymorphisms has proven its utility for mapping within breeds, and its use has led to the identification of variants associated with Mendelian traits in purebred cats. However, compared to single gene disorders, association studies of complex diseases, especially with the inclusion of random bred cats with relatively low linkage disequilibrium, require a denser genotyping array and an increased sample size to provide statistically significant associations. Here, we undertook a multi-breed study of 1,122 cats, most of which were admitted and phenotyped for nine common complex feline diseases at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Using a proprietary 340 k single nucleotide polymorphism mapping array, we identified significant genome-wide associations with hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis. These results provide genomic locations for variant discovery and candidate gene screening for these important complex feline diseases, which are relevant not only to feline health, but also to the development of disease models for comparative studies.

Association between olfactory pathway gene variants and obesity in Chinese Han population: A case-control study based on genetic score

BACKGROUND

Our previous bivariate genome-wide association study in dizygotic twins suggested that the olfactory transduction pathway genes were associated with obesity in Northern Han Chinese adults. In this study, we attempted to verify the associations of the olfactory transduction pathway genes score with obesity in population with the same genetic background, and to estimate the interaction between gene variants and potential environment factors.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted in Qingdao, China in 2019-2021, which enrolled 301 obesity cases and 307 controls. Based on the candidate gene selection method, 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 7 olfactory pathway genes were selected. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was isolated and purified from the peripheral blood leukocytes by using DNA extraction kits and was genotyped by the MassArray system. The weighted genetic score of each gene was calculated to analyze the effect of whole gene. The effect of gene scores on obesity and the gene-environment interaction were estimated by logistic regression.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, we observed positive associations of OR4D1 (OR = 1.531, 95% CI = 1.083-2.164, P = 0.016) and OR52K1 (OR = 1.437, 95% CI = 1.055-1.957, P = 0.022) gene scores with obesity, as well as negative associations of OR2L8 (OR = 0.708, 95% CI = 0.504-0.995, P = 0.046) and CALML3 (OR = 0.601, 95% CI = 0.410-0.881, P = 0.009) gene scores with obesity. Significant multiplicative model interaction between OR4D1 and smoking (P_interaction = 0.041) as well as CALML3 and smoking (P_interaction = 0.026) on obesity were identified. Stratified analysis showed that in smokers, OR4D1 gene score was positively associated with obesity (OR = 2.673, 95% CI = 1.348-5.299, P = 0.005) and CALML3 gene score was negatively correlated with obesity (OR = 0.252, 95% CI = 0.103-0.618, P = 0.003). The relationships were not statistically significant in non-smokers (OR4D1: OR = 1.216, 95% CI = 0.806-1.836, P = 0.351; CALML3: OR = 0.764, 95% CI = 0.492-1.188, P = 0.232).

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic variations in the olfactory pathway were associated with obesity in Northern Han Chinese adults. Smoking modified the effect of OR4D1 and CALML3 gene variants on obesity.

Ancient hybridization patterns between bighorn and thinhorn sheep

Whole-genome sequencing has advanced the study of species evolution, including the detection of genealogical discordant events such as ancient hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). The evolutionary history of bighorn (Ovis canadensis) and thinhorn (Ovis dalli) sheep present an ideal system to investigate evolutionary discordance due to their recent and rapid radiation and putative secondary contact between bighorn and thinhorn sheep subspecies, specifically the dark pelage Stone sheep (O. dalli stonei) and predominately white Dall sheep (O. dalli dalli), during the last ice age. Here, we used multiple genomes of bighorn and thinhorn sheep, together with snow (O. nivicola) and the domestic sheep (O. aries) as outgroups, to assess their phylogenomic history, potential introgression patterns and their adaptive consequences. Among the Pachyceriforms (snow, bighorn and thinhorn sheep) a consistent monophyletic species tree was retrieved; however, many genealogical discordance patterns were observed. Alternative phylogenies frequently placed Stone and bighorn as sister clades. This relationship occurred more often and was less divergent than that between Dall and bighorn. We also observed many blocks containing introgression signal between Stone and bighorn genomes in which coat colour genes were present. Introgression signals observed between Dall and bighorn were more random and less frequent, and therefore probably due to ILS or intermediary secondary contact. These results strongly suggest that Stone sheep originated from a complex series of events, characterized by multiple, ancient periods of secondary contact with bighorn sheep.

Precision nutrition based on phenotypical traits and the (epi)genotype: nutrigenetic and nutrigenomic approaches for obesity care

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this article is to rationally review and critically appraise the current knowledge in the most relevant nongenetic and genetic factors influencing obesity predisposition. This information may be translated into the implementation of personalized nutrition approaches involving precision nutrigenetic and nutrigenomic strategies for obesity monitoring and weight management.

RECENT FINDINGS

The importance and influence of several nongenetic contributors to obesity onset and individual responses to weight-loss interventions have been highlighted including the role of age, sex or perinatal feeding and others related to an individual's lifestyle and modifiable. Nutrigenetic studies have analysed potential interactions between polymorphisms influencing energy homeostasis/body composition and dietary factors in relation to adiposity phenotypes and therapy responsiveness. A second approach comprises the Nutrigenomic analysis of gene expression modifications in response to the consumption of specific nutrients or dietary bioactive compounds, which may involve epigenetic mechanisms including deoxyribonucleic acid methylation and micro-ribonucleic acid expression profiles.

SUMMARY

Taken together, these findings encompass the importance of taking into account up-to-date advances in Nutrigenetic and Nutrigenomic hallmarks, globally analysing the risk of weight gain and related outcomes after following nutrition counselling, this contributing to improve obesity care considering phenotypical traits and the genetic make-up for precision obesity care.

Regulation of Metabolic Health by an "Olfactory-Hypothalamic Axis" and Its Possible Implications for the Development of Therapeutic Approaches for Obesity and T2D

The olfactory system is responsible for the reception, integration and interpretation of odors. However, in the last years, it has been discovered that the olfactory perception of food can rapidly modulate the activity of hypothalamic neurons involved in the regulation of energy balance. Conversely, the hormonal signals derived from changes in the metabolic status of the body can also change the sensitivity of the olfactory system, suggesting that the bidirectional relationship established between the olfactory and the hypothalamic systems is key for the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. In the first part of this review, we describe the possible mechanisms and anatomical pathways involved in the modulation of energy balance regulated by the olfactory system. Hence, we propose a model to explain its implication in the maintenance of the metabolic homeostasis of the organism. In the second part, we discuss how the olfactory system could be involved in the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity and type two diabetes and, finally, we propose the use of intranasal therapies aimed to regulate and improve the activity of the olfactory system that in turn will be able to control the neuronal activity of hypothalamic centers to prevent or ameliorate metabolic diseases.

A nationwide population-based study in South Korea on a relationship between height and anosmia

The relationship between anosmia and anthropometric factor has not been investigated sufficiently yet. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate anthropometric risk factors of anosmia in an Asian population. Claims data of subjects over 20 years old who underwent a national health examination conducted by the Korean National Insurance Program between 2005 and 2008 were analyzed. They were followed up through the Korean National Insurance Service database. Individuals newly diagnosed with anosmia were identified after the initial health examination until the last follow-up date (December 31, 2016). The incidence of anosmia was high in females younger than 70 years old. The hazard ratio of anosmia was found to be higher in taller groups. The tallest quintile had higher risk than the shortest quintile (hazard ratio = 1.185, 95% confidence interval: 1.147–1.225) after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, income, smoking status, alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. This study showed that the incidence of anosmia had a positive association with height. However, careful interpretation is needed to generalize our result because of the limitation of the study population. Further studies are needed to clarify the genetic or environmental causes of anosmia.

Obesity and COVID-19: Oro-Naso-Sensory Perception

Through a recent upsurge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the clinical assessment of most of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients clearly presents a health condition with the loss of oro-naso-sensory (ONS) perception, responsible for the detection of flavor and savor. These changes include anosmia and dysgeusia. In some cases, these clinical manifestations appear even before the general flu-like symptoms, e.g., sore throat, thoracic oppression and fever. There is no direct report available on the loss of these chemical senses in obese COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, obesity has been shown to be associated with low ONS cues. These alterations in obese subjects are due to obesity-induced altered expression of olfacto-taste receptors. Besides, obesity may further aggravate the SARS-CoV-2 infection, as this pathology is associated with a high degree of inflammation/immunosuppression and reduced protection against viral infections. Hence, obesity represents a great risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, as it may hide the viral-associated altered ONS symptoms, thus leading to a high mortality rate in these subjects.

Autologous fecal transplantation from a lean state potentiates caloric restriction effects on body weight and adiposity in obese mice

Autologous fecal transplantation (FT-A) emerges as a promising strategy to modulate gut microbiota with minimal side effects since individual´s own feces are transplanted. With the premise of improving obesity and its associated disorders, we investigated if fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), heterologous and autologous, potentiates the effects of a moderate caloric restriction (CR) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Mice were randomized into control, HFD, CR (12 weeks on HFD and 6 weeks under CR), FT-H (similar to CR and FMT carried out with feces from controls, weeks 17 & 18), and FT-A (administration of their own feces before developing obesity at weeks 17 & 18). Our study demonstrated that FMT, and, especially, FT-A potentiates the effects of a moderate CR on weight loss and adiposity in the short term, by decreasing feed efficiency and increasing adipose tissue lipolysis. Although FT-A produced a significant increase in bacterial richness/diversity, FMT did not significantly modify gut microbiota composition compared to the CR at phyla and bacteria genera levels, and only significant increases in Bifidobacterium and Blautia genera were observed. These results could suggest that other mechanisms different from bacterial microbiota engraftment participates in these beneficial effects. Thus, FT-A represents a very positive synergetic approach for obese patients that do not respond well to moderate restrictive diets.

The epigenetics of diabetes, obesity, overweight and cardiovascular disease

The objectives of this review were once to understand the roles of the epigenetics mechanism in different types of diabetes, obesity, overweight, and cardiovascular disease. Epigenetics represents a phenomenon of change heritable phenotypic expression of genetic records taking place except changes in DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications can have an impact on a whole of metabolic disease with the aid of specific alteration of candidate genes based totally on the change of the target genes. In this review, I summarized the new findings in DNA methylation, histone modifications in each type of diabetes (type 1 and type 2), obesity, overweight, and cardiovascular disease. The involvement of histone alterations and DNA methylation in the development of metabolic diseases is now widely accepted recently many novel genes have been demonstrated that has roles in diabetes pathway and it can be used for detection prediabetic; however Over the modern-day years, mass spectrometry-based proteomics techniques positioned and mapped one-of a kind range of histone modifications linking obesity and metabolic diseases. The main point of these changes is rapidly growing; however, their points and roles in obesity are no longer properly understood in obesity. Furthermore, epigenetic seen in cardiovascular treatment revealed a massive quantity of modifications affecting the improvement and development of cardiovascular disease. In addition, epigenetics are moreover involved in cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking. The aberrant epigenetic mechanisms that make a contribution to cardiovascular disease.