Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics

Publications in this journal

• Article: Bitter Taste Perception and Dietary Intake Patterns in Irish Children

  O'Brien S.A. · Feeney E.L. · Scannell A.G.M. · Markey A. · Gibney E.R
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  ABSTRACT: Background/Aims: Variations in bitter receptor gene TAS2R38 affect the perception of bittertasting compound 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). The perception of PROP has been associated, in some reports, with the perception of fat and sweet tastes, and various food preferences and intakes. The aim was to investigate nutrient intakes and food patterns in a group of Irish children, using K-means cluster analysis, and compare these with TAS2R38 genotype and PROP taster status. Methods: Dietary intake was measured via a 3-day diet history in 483 children aged 7–13 years. Children were genotyped for TAS2R38 variation, and PROP taster status was assessed. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were also obtained. Results: No differences were observed in macronutrient, micronutrient, or food group consumption between the TAS2R38 genotype and PROP taster groups. K-means cluster analysis identified two distinct dietary patterns, termed ‘more healthful’ and ‘less healthful’ clusters. The clusters did not differ in frequencies of TAS2R38 genotype nor PROP taster status groups, suggesting that dietary patterns are not influenced by bitter taste perception. Conclusion: Bitterness perception, as measured by either TAS2R38 genotype or PROP taster status, does not appear to exert a significant effect on patterns of dietary intakes.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 03/2013; 6(1):43-58.
• Article: In Silico Analyses of Human Genes Involved in the Diabesin Triad (Diabetes, Obesity and Inflammation) and their Association to Imprinted Genes

  Bezerra APM; Samara C Silva-Santiago; Diana Magalhaes de Oliveira
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  ABSTRACT: The term diabesity has been used to describe concomitant morbid conditions of obesity, insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Here we have coined the term “diabesin” to also include the inflammation response. A key genetic process, genomic imprinting, is also interesting to consider on diabesin, since a relatively small number of human genes are imprinted and they are recognized as important players of major gene-environment interactions. Objectives: Aiming to identify a panel of human genes implicated in diabesin, here we have attempted to associate imprinted genes that might serve as potential indicators for establishing potential risk haplotypes for this increasingly prevalent condition. A haplotype is a combination of alleles or of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tending to be inherited together. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses involved exhaustive genomic searches, performed using queries not limited to “genomic imprinting,” “imprinted”, “obesity”, “inflammation”, and “diabetes”. A gene catalog was compiled, for each imprinted or predicted-to-be imprinted gene, we extracted annotations, references, and sequences by performing comprehensive searches in relevant databases. Association features of the studied conditions, not found in existing databases, were obtained by analyzing related publications. Results: We have compiled over 80 unique human genes that could be unambiguously associated to diabesin. They have been, then, divided in subgroups to comprise a full repertoire of diabesin gene features (gene product and architecture, sequence length and assembly, SNP content, copy number variant, etc). Conclusions: Regardless of all obvious (and not underestimated) environmental influences, a so-called “diabesin” risk haplotype would, indeed, be an ideal genomic profile to be searched for and this is the main, preliminary contribution of the present work.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 12/2012; 5(4):222.
• Article: Evidence of interaction between type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes and dietary fat intake for adiposity and glucose homeostasis-related phenotypes.

  Stephanie-May Ruchat, Cathy E Elks, Ruth J F Loos, Marie-Claude Vohl, S John Weisnagel, Tuomo Rankinen, Claude Bouchard, Louis Pérusse
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  ABSTRACT: Genome-wide association studies have led to the identification of several susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes and adiposity and glucose homeostasis-related phenotypes are influenced by dietary fat intake. Thirty-three SNPs in 9 T2DM genes (CDKAL1, CDKN2A/B, HHEX, HNF1B, IGF2BP2, KCNJ11, SLC30A8, TCF7L2 and WFS1) were tested in a maximum of 669 subjects from the Quebec Family Study. Subjects were measured for several adiposity indices and underwent a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test. Total fat intake was estimated from a 3-day dietary record. We observed 13 significant (p < or = 0.01) SNP-dietary fat interactions. Among them, IGF2BP2 rs4402960, alone or in interaction with dietary fat intake, influenced abdominal total fat (ATF: SNP effect, p = 0.006, interaction effect, p = 0.009) and abdominal visceral fat (AVF: SNP effect, p = 0.007, interaction effect, p = 0.01). Similarly, TCF7L2 rs12573128 alone or in interaction with dietary fat intake, influenced insulin sensitivity (SNP effect and interaction effect, p < or = 0.008) and glucose tolerance (SNP effect p < or= 0.009 and interaction effect, p < or = 0.01). These results suggest that gene-dietary fat interactions may influence glucose homeostasis-related phenotypes and play an important role in determining the increased risk of diabetes associated with the T2DM susceptibility genes.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 03/2010; 2(4-5):225-34.
• Article: Dopamine D2 receptor genotype (C957T) and habitual consumption of sugars in a free-living population of men and women.

  Karen M Eny, Paul N Corey, Ahmed El-Sohemy
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  ABSTRACT: The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) has been implicated in modulating the rewarding effects of foods high in sugar. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a variation in the DRD2 gene affects habitual consumption of sugars in a free-living population. Caucasian men (n = 96) and women (n = 217) 20-29 years of age completed a 1-month food frequency questionnaire and were genotyped for the C957T polymorphism in the DRD2 gene. Analyses of covariance with post-hoc Tukey tests were used to compare nutrient intakes between genotypes adjusting for potential confounders. Among men, consumption of sucrose was 60 +/- 6, 48 +/- 4, and 39 +/- 5 g/day for those with the CC, CT and TT genotypes, respectively, with a significant difference between the homozygotes (p = 0.03), suggesting an additive mode of inheritance. Among women, sucrose consumption was 42 +/- 4, 53 +/- 2, and 44 +/- 4 g/day for the CC, CT and TT genotypes, respectively, with CC and CT differing significantly (p = 0.02), suggesting a partial heterosis mode of inheritance. No differences were observed for protein or fat. These findings suggest that genetic variation in DRD2 influences food selection and may explain some of the interindividual differences in sugar consumption.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 03/2010; 2(4-5):235-42.
• Article: Gene expression profiles in fetal and neonatal rat offspring of energy-restricted dams.

  Mirella Hietaniemi, Merja Santaniemi, Elina Malo, Olavi Ukkola, Y Antero Kesäniemi, Maarit Jokela
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  ABSTRACT: Nutrition during fetal and early postnatal development can have permanent effects on physiology resulting in an increased risk for disease in later life. The aim of this study was to explore changes in gene expression related to maternal energy restriction during pregnancy in rat fetuses and in neonatal rat offspring. From day 4 of gestation until parturition, energy-restricted dams received either 75 or 50% of ad libitum food intake. Microarray analyses were performed on whole 13- and 17-day fetuses and 1-day-old pups. Protein and fat contents of the dams' milk were analyzed in the different feeding groups. A surprisingly small number of genes were differentially expressed between the groups, probably due to the strict control of fetal development. Interestingly, the expressions of many pancreatic digestion enzymes were reduced in the 1-day-old pups of the energy-restricted dams. A statistically significant difference in milk protein content was observed on day 1 post-partum between the gestationally food-restricted groups. The expressions of several genes that may have an important role in the normal development of organs were affected by undernutrition during fetal development. In addition, undernutrition may have affected the function of the exocrine pancreas.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 02/2010; 2(4-5):173-83.
• Article: Nutrition tailored to the individual? Not just yet - realigning nutrigenomic science with contemporary society.

  Jop de Vrieze, Laura Bouwman, Rixt Komduur, Renske Pin, Amber Ronteltap, Rens Vandeberg, Frans van Dam, Bart Penders
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  ABSTRACT: About a decade ago, scientists and science journalists presented nutrigenomics as a grand promise that each of us would soon know which foods fit in our personal healthy diet. Meanwhile, expectations have been adjusted to fit a changed reality. Simultaneously, societal issues surrounding personalized nutrition continue to rise, including whether consumers need it, food industry can produce it, all relevant stakeholders are willing and able to work together, and if it is a desirable way to go for nutrition. The commentary below reports the main results of 6 research projects that focused on nutrigenomics and its role in society.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 02/2010; 2(4-5):184-8.
• Article: Expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in men with impaired glucose tolerance: impact of insulin stimulation and weight loss.

  E Konings, E Corpeleijn, F G Bouwman, E C Mariman, E E Blaak
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  ABSTRACT: Background:The impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) state is characterized by insulin resistance. Disturbances in fatty acid (FA) metabolism may underlie this reduced insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the prediabetic state is accompanied by changes in the expression of genes involved in FA handling during fasting and in insulin-mediated conditions and to study the impact of weight loss. Methods:Seven IGT men and 5 men with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), comparable in terms of age and BMI, participated in the study. The 5 IGT men followed a 12-week weight loss program. Muscle biopsies were taken and the expression of 6 genes was investigated. Results:Subjects had a reduction of 15.5 ± 4.3 kg in body weight. Baseline gene expression was not different between NGT and IGT men. After a hyperinsulinemic clamp, there was an overall upregulation of PGC1α, SREBP-1c, SREBP-2, and ACC-2. The upregulation of SREBP-2 was more pronounced in IGT men (p = 0.049). Weight loss significantly increased insulin sensitivity by 71%, which was not reflected in altered gene expression profiles. Conclusions:SREBP-2 shows altered insulin responsiveness in IGT men compared with NGT men, while there were no differences in basal gene expression.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 01/2010; 3(1):9-17.
• Article: Paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms 172T→A and 584A→G modify the association between serum concentrations of the antioxidant lycopene and bone turnover markers and oxidative stress parameters in women 25-70 years of age.

  E S Mackinnon, A El-Sohemy, A V Rao, L G Rao
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  ABSTRACT: Polymorphisms of the paraoxonase 1 (PON1) enzyme affect the ability to protect LDL from oxidation. Oxidative stress is a risk factor for osteoporosis and antioxidants may be beneficial for prevention. The aim of this study was to determine whether PON1 genotypes modified the association between lycopene and bone turnover markers and oxidative stress parameters. Blood samples from 107 women 25-70 years of age were analyzed for serum carotenoid concentrations, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) and oxidative stress parameters. Subjects were genotyped for the 172T→A and 584A→G polymorphisms of PON1. The 172T→A polymorphism modified the association between lycopene and NTx (p < 0.05 for interaction). In the 172TT genotype, high serum lycopene was associated with decreased NTx (p < 0.05). The 584A→G polymorphism modified the association between lycopene and BAP (p < 0.05 for interaction). Additionally, in participants with the 584GG genotype, high serum lycopene was associated with high TBA-reactive substances (p < 0.05). These findings show that PON1 polymorphisms modify the association between serum concentrations of lycopene and oxidative stress parameters and bone turnover markers and may, therefore, moderate the risk of osteoporosis.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 01/2010; 3(1):1-8.
• Article: Effect of Sauropus androgynus leaf extracts on the expression of prolactin and oxytocin genes in lactating BALB/C mice.

  Susan Soka, Herlina Alam, Novalia Boenjamin, Tan W Agustina, Maggy T Suhartono
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  ABSTRACT: Sauropus androgynus is traditionally consumed by Indonesians and is believed to increase breast milk production during lactation. Lactation, a process of milk synthesis and secretion, occurs with the help of 2 hormones, prolactin and oxytocin. The expressions of genes encoding prolactin and oxytocin were analyzed in lactating BALB/C mice brains using qRT-PCR. A total of 24 lactating BALB/C mice were fed with experimental diets for 12 days. Two groups of lactating mice were fed with diets containing either young or mature S. androgynus leaf extracts. For the control, one group of lactating mice was fed a diet without S. androgynus leaf extracts. Supplementation of young S. androgynus leaf extracts increased the expression of prolactin and oxytocin genes in lactating mice 9.04- and 2.25-fold, respectively. Meanwhile, supplementation of mature S. androgynus leaf extracts increased the expressions of both genes 15.75- and 25.77-fold, respectively, compared to the control group. The result suggested that mature S. androgynus leaf extracts significantly increased the expressions of both genes in lactating BALB/C mice and was predicted to correlate with papaverine content, which is only detected in mature S. androgynus leaves at a concentration of 0.38 ± 0.04 μg·ml(-1).
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 01/2010; 3(1):31-6.
• Article: Gene expression of FTO in human subcutaneous adipose tissue, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and adipocyte cell line.

  Tiina Lappalainen, Marjukka Kolehmainen, Ursula Schwab, Leena Pulkkinen, Vanessa D F de Mello, Maija Vaittinen, David E Laaksonen, Kaisa Poutanen, Matti Uusitupa, Helena Gylling
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  ABSTRACT: The common polymorphism rs9939609 of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) is strongly associated with obesity, but the biological function is still unknown. We compared the FTO gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between overweight and normal weight individuals. We also investigated if mRNA levels of FTO in adipose tissue correlated with the adiposity or inflammatory markers and mRNA levels of genes involved in the response to hypoxia (HIF-1a) and cell death(HMGB1). The mRNA expression of FTO in adipose tissue was greater in obese than normal weight individuals (p < 0.001), but there was no difference in FTO expression in PBMCs. FTO mRNA levels did not correlate with adiposity or inflammatory markers and FTO expression was not influenced by the FTO rs9939609 genotype. FTO mRNA level correlated positively with gene expression levels of HIF-1a and HMGB1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue (r = 0.59, p < 0.001; r = 0.69, p < 0.001, respectively; adjusted for BMI and adipocyte cell size). Altogether, FTO expression appeared not to have a well-defined impact on clinical or biochemical parameters comprising the metabolic syndrome. The correlations with the genes related to hypoxia and cell death suggest novel biological activities for FTO.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 01/2010; 3(1):37-45.
• Article: Analysis of the inhibitory effect of flavonoids on h-ras protein: an anticancer drug target.

  Adel A Alhamdan, Tariq Ahmad Masoodi
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  ABSTRACT: Background: GTP-bound mutant forms of H-Ras (Harvey-Ras) proteins are found in almost 30% of human tumors. In the present in silico study, the inhibitory effect of different flavonoid compounds on mutant H-Ras protein p21 has been assessed. The inhibitory effect of flavonoids is compared with three known clinical anticancer drugs. Besides, these have been interacted with normal H-Ras and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) proteins for toxicity check. Results: Upon docking, it was found that flavonoids such as naringenin, daidzein, and hesperetin showed highest affinity (most negative ΔG), while rutin showed no affinity towards mutant H-Ras. The three clinical anticancer agents (erlotinib, letrozole and exemestane) showed binding energies in the range of -1.11 to -5.51 kcal/mol which is comparatively lower than the flavonoids indicating efficacy of flavonoids to prevent complex formation with Raf and thereby prevent downstream effects. However, flavonoids showed no interaction with normal H-Ras and TNF indicating little or no cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that flavonoids (naringenin, daidzein, and hesperetin) are effective drugs to inhibit complex formation between mutant H-Ras P21 and RBD of Raf.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 01/2010; 3(2-3):127-35.
• Article: Biotin starvation with adequate glucose provision causes paradoxical changes in fuel metabolism gene expression similar in rat (Rattus norvegicus), nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

  D Ortega-Cuellar, A Hernandez-Mendoza, E Moreno-Arriola, K Carvajal-Aguilera, V Perez-Vazquez, R Gonzalez-Alvarez, A Velazquez-Arellano
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  ABSTRACT: Biotin affects the genetic expression of several glucose metabolism enzymes, besides being a cofactor of carboxylases. To explore how extensively biotin affects the expression of carbon metabolism genes, we studied the effects of biotin starvation and replenishment in 3 distantly related eukaryotes: yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and rat Rattus norvegicus. Biotin starvation was produced in Wistar rats, in C. elegans N2 and S. cerevisiae W303A fed with abundant glucose. High-density oligonucleotide microarrays were used to find gene expression changes. Glucose consumption, lactate and ethanol were measured by conventional tests. In spite of abundant glucose provision, the expression of fatty oxidation and gluconeogenic genes was augmented, and the transcripts for glucose utilization and lipogenesis were diminished in biotin starvation. These results were associated with diminished glucose consumption and glycolysis products (lactate and ethanol in yeast), which was consistent across 3 very different eukaryotes. The results point toward a strongly selected role of biotin in the control of carbon metabolism, and in adaptations to variable availability of carbon, conceivably mediated by signal transduction including soluble guanylate cyclase, cGMP and a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) and/or biotin-dependent processes.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 01/2010; 3(1):18-30.
• Article: Regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase gene expression by thymoquinone-rich fraction and thymoquinone in HepG2 cells.

  Ghanya Al-Naqeep, Maznah Ismail, Zeenathul Allaudin
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  ABSTRACT: Nigella sativa and its active constituent thymoquinone (TQ) have been exploited for their various health benefits. This work was aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of TQ-rich fraction (TQRF) and commercial TQ on the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) genes in HepG2 cells. TQRF was extracted from N. sativa seeds using supercritical fluid extraction. The regulatory effects of TQRF at 80 microg/ml and TQ at 2 microg/ml on LDLR and HMGCR gene expression were investigated in HepG2 cells using quantitative real-time PCR. The TQ content in TQRF was 2.77% (w/w) and was obtained at a temperature of 40 degrees C and a pressure of 600 bar. Treatment of cells with TQRF and TQ resulted in a 7- and 2-fold upregulation of LDLR mRNA level, respectively, compared with untreated cells. The mRNA level of HMGCR was downregulated by 71 and 12%, respectively, compared with untreated cells. TQRF and TQ regulated genes involved in cholesterol metabolism by two mechanisms, the uptake of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol via the upregulation of the LDLR gene and inhibition of cholesterol synthesis via the suppression of the HMGCR gene.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 10/2009; 2(4-5):163-72.
• Article: Omega-3 fatty acids, genetic variants in COX-2 and prostate cancer.

  Adam C Reese, Vincent Fradet, John S Witte
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  ABSTRACT: Dietary intake of fish and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) may decrease the risk of prostate cancer development and progression to advanced stage disease. This could reflect the anti-inflammatory effects of PUFAs, possibly through mediation of cyclooxygenase (COX), a key enzyme in fatty acid metabolism and inflammation. Despite promising experimental evidence, epidemiological studies have reported somewhat conflicting results regarding the effects of fish/PUFAs on prostate cancer development and progression. The literature suggests that fish, and particularly long-chain omega-3 PUFAs, may have a more pronounced protective effect on biologically aggressive tumors or on their progression, and less on early steps of carcinogenesis. Moreover, the impact of LC omega-3 PUFAs may be modified by variation of the COX-2 gene. Overall, results to date support the hypothesis that long-chain omega-3 PUFAs may impact prostate inflammation and carcinogenesis via the COX-2 enzymatic pathway.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 09/2009; 2(3):149-58.
• Article: Polyunsaturated fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: implications for nutrigenetics.

  Hooman Allayee, Nitzan Roth, Howard N Hodis
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  ABSTRACT: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) arises as a result of genetic predisposition in the context of a disease-promoting environment. While several risk factors have been identified for CVD, such as elevated serum lipid levels and hypertension, most of the genes identified thus far do not appear to involve such 'conventional' risk factors. Moreover, the interactions between genes and environment, such as a diet high in certain fats, adds another level of complexity to CVD and renders identification of the underlying genetic factors even more difficult. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which have multiple roles in membrane structure, lipid metabolism, blood clotting, blood pressure, and, in particular, inflammation, have been linked to the reduction in CVD. Linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) are essential fatty acids that can be converted into long-chain PUFAs, such as arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), respectively. These long-chain PUFAs are metabolized by enzymatically catalyzed systems via cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases. The 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO)/leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis pathway has been biochemically and genetically associated with CVD traits in mice and humans, particularly in the context of dietary AA and EPA/DHA. In this review, we summarize the biochemical metabolism of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs, evaluate the evidence for genetic and nutrigenetic contributions of 5-LO pathway genes to CVD, and discuss the potential of future studies that could identify other gene-dietary interactions between PUFAs and CVD traits.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 09/2009; 2(3):140-8.
• Article: A 'desaturase hypothesis' for atherosclerosis: Janus-faced enzymes in omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism.

  Nicola Martinelli, Letizia Consoli, Oliviero Olivieri
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  ABSTRACT: The delta-5 and delta-6 desaturases are key enzymes in the metabolism of omega-3 (omega-3) and omega-6 (omega-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which in turn influence cellular functions by regulating several metabolic pathways with well-known effects on the cardiovascular system. At present, data about desaturase activity and cardiovascular risk remain inconclusive. In this short review we propose a 'desaturase hypothesis' of atherosclerosis, providing suggestions for the Janus-faced role of desaturases, with both more favorable (mainly related to omega-3 long-chain fatty acids) and more harmful (mainly related to omega-6 long-chain fatty acids) cardiovascular effects than those obtained in subjects with lower desaturase activity. In particular in populations eating a Western diet rich in omega-6 PUFA, a high desaturase activity may promote an increased bioavailability of arachidonic acid with prevailing synthesis of arachidonic acid-derived proinflammatory eicosanoids, finally favoring atherosclerotic vascular damage. In contrast, high desaturase activity in subjects consuming a diet rich in omega-3 PUFA or receiving omega-3 PUFA supplementation could result in the opposite situation with a preferential synthesis of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. For these reasons, carriers of specific FADS haplotypes may be predisposed to more pronounced vascular inflammatory damage, but also to an increased beneficial effect with omega-3 PUFA supplementation.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 09/2009; 2(3):129-39.
• Article: FADS gene cluster polymorphisms: important modulators of fatty acid levels and their impact on atopic diseases.

  Eva Lattka, Thomas Illig, Joachim Heinrich, Berthold Koletzko
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  ABSTRACT: Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) play an important role in several physiological processes and their concentration in phospholipids has been associated with several complex diseases, such as atopic disease. The level and composition of LC-PUFAs in the human body is highly dependent on their intake in the diet or on the intake of fatty acid precursors, which are endogenously elongated and desaturated to physiologically active LC-PUFAs. The most important enzymes in this reaction cascade are the Delta(5) and Delta(6) desaturase. Several studies in the last few years have revealed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 2 desaturase encoding genes (FADS1 and FADS2) are highly associated with the concentration of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, showing that beside nutrition, genetic factors also play an important role in the regulation of LC-PUFAs. This review focuses on current knowledge of the impact of genetic polymorphisms on LC-PUFA metabolism and on their potential role in the development of atopic diseases.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 09/2009; 2(3):119-28.
• Article: Applied human genomics from an innovation systems perspective.

  David Castle
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  ABSTRACT: Nutrigenetics remains at the forefront of applied human genomics, and for this reason it draws scrutiny from several different perspectives. Most conspicuous among these perspectives is the interest demonstrated in the regulation of nutrigenetics. There are other, equally important factors affecting the fate of nutrigenetics which can be considered alongside regulation. Using innovation systems theory to guide the analysis provides insights into the future of nutrigenetics innovation. Innovation systems theory is used to analyze the opportunities and constraints on nutrigenetics. Regulation of nutrigenetics has preoccupied the attention of many commentators, but other constraints such as intellectual property and access to venture capital are serious and probable impediments to future commercial development of nutrigenetics.
  Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics 08/2009; 2(2):103-10.