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Environmental and Nutritional Effects Regulating Adipose Tissue Function and Metabolism Across Generations
Wenfei Sun1, Ferdinand von Meyenn1, Daria Peleg-Raibstein1
1Department of Health Science and Technologies ETH Zürich Schorenstrasse 16 Schwerzenbach CH-8603 Switzerland.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 11, 2019
Summary
Environmental factors can trigger epigenetic changes, influencing energy metabolism across generations. This review focuses on how these changes impact adipose tissue, contributing to the obesity epidemic.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic disorders
- Epigenetics
- Obesity research
Background:
- Obesity prevalence has risen dramatically over 40 years.
- While heritability is high, genetics alone don't fully explain the obesity epidemic.
- Environmental factors can induce lasting epigenetic changes affecting energy metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of environmentally induced obesity.
- To focus on the role of adipose tissue in these processes.
- To explore epigenetic mechanisms in obesity.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature.
- Analysis of epigenetic mechanisms (small noncoding RNA, DNA methylation, histone modifications).
- Focus on adipose tissue plasticity and cell types (white, brown/brite/beige).
Main Results:
- Environmental cues can lead to epigenetic modifications.
- These modifications can be transmitted across generations (inter- and transgenerational).
- Adipose tissue exhibits plasticity, influencing energy storage and expenditure.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic changes induced by environmental factors play a significant role in obesity.
- Inter- and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance impacts offspring metabolism.
- Adipose tissue is a key player in understanding and potentially treating environmentally induced obesity.
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