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Risk of Fat Mass- and Obesity-Associated Gene-Dependent Obesogenic Programming by Formula Feeding Compared to

Bodo C Melnik1, Ralf Weiskirchen2, Wolfgang Stremmel3

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany.

Nutrients
|August 10, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Artificial formula feeding may alter infant epigenetic programming, increasing obesity risk by affecting DNA and RNA methylation, particularly the FTO gene. Breastfeeding promotes healthier epigenetic development.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Nutritional Programming
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Infant feeding methods (formula vs. breastfeeding) can influence long-term health outcomes.
  • Epigenetic modifications, including DNA and RNA methylation, play a critical role in development.
  • The fat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO) is implicated in metabolic regulation and obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare postnatal epigenetic programming differences between formula-fed (FF) and breastfed (BF) infants.
  • To investigate the impact of feeding method on DNA and RNA methylation patterns.
  • To examine the association between feeding method, FTO gene expression, and obesity risk.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on dietary and epigenetic factors influencing FTO gene and protein expression.
  • Analysis of translational evidence regarding regulators of FTO expression and activity.
  • Investigation of FTO's role in postnatal adipogenic programming.

Main Results:

  • Formula feeding (FF) is associated with aberrant DNA methylation and enhanced expression of the FTO gene and its RNA demethylase activity.
  • Nutritional components like protein, tryptophan, and specific amino acids regulate FTO expression and activity.
  • Increased FTO signaling may suppress the WNT/β-catenin pathway, promoting adipogenesis and obesity.
  • Formula-induced alterations in the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylome are linked to adipogenesis and obesity.

Conclusions:

  • Formula feeding may lead to unfavorable epigenetic changes in DNA and RNA methylation, potentially increasing obesity risk.
  • Breastfeeding (BF) supports physiological epigenetic regulation of DNA and RNA methylation.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the formula-induced epigenetic alterations and their long-term consequences.

Keywords:
DNA methylationadipogenesisbreastfeedingepigenetic stem cell regulationfat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO)formula feedingm6A RNA methylationmilk exosomal miRNAsobesitywingless signaling

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