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Ethnic variability in adiposity and cardiovascular risk: the variable disease selection hypothesis
1Childhood Nutrition Research Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK. j.wells@ich.ucl.ac.uk
International Journal of Epidemiology
|September 30, 2008
Summary
Ethnic genetic variations in adipose tissue biology may stem from evolutionary responses to infectious diseases, not just famine. This challenges the thrifty genotype hypothesis for cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Human genetics
- Metabolic disorders
Background:
- Cardiovascular risk shows ethnic variations linked to adipose tissue biology.
- Adipose tissue's role in energy storage is traditionally linked to famine adaptation (thrifty genotype).
- The 'thrifty genotype' hypothesis's applicability to adipose tissue evolution is debated due to historical famine mortality data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel evolutionary hypothesis for ethnic genetic variability in adipose tissue biology.
- To explore selective pressures beyond energy insufficiency, such as infectious diseases, on adipose tissue evolution.
- To re-evaluate the primary drivers of adipose tissue's evolutionary adaptations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on adipose tissue biology, evolutionary pressures, and immune function.
- Analysis of historical records concerning mortality during famines.
- Synthesis of evidence linking infectious diseases to immune system activation and metabolic costs.
Main Results:
- Adipose tissue plays a significant role in immune function.
- Infectious diseases exert selective pressures that vary depending on the disease.
- Different disease burdens can drive distinct evolutionary adaptations in adipose tissue distribution and metabolism across ethnic groups.
Conclusions:
- Infectious disease exposure is proposed as a more significant selective pressure than famine cycles for adipose tissue evolution.
- Ethnic genetic variability in adipose tissue biology may be a response to diverse historical infectious disease landscapes.
- This hypothesis offers an alternative explanation for ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk mediated by adipose tissue.
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