Shared postprandial gene expression signatures: a systematic review and quantitative data synthesis

Area of Science:

• Metabolomics and Genomics
• Systems Biology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Metabolic flexibility, the ability to adapt to nutrient intake, is crucial for metabolic health.
• Postprandial (after-meal) responses involve complex changes across multiple biological levels.
• Understanding these responses at the gene expression level is vital for metabolic health assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and integrate transcriptomic data from studies assessing postprandial gene expression.
• To identify common gene expression signatures following different types of meals.
• To compare postprandial gene expression with fasting levels.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review combining raw data from 14 studies (13 datasets).
• Analysis of gene expression at 2, 4, and 6 hours postprandial.
• Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and multivariate integrative analysis (MINT.sPLS).

Main Results:

• Identified 36, 711, and 12 common postprandial genes at 2, 4, and 6 hours, respectively.
• GO analysis revealed immune response (2h), cellular regulation, autophagy, phosphorus metabolism, stress response (4h), and circadian regulation (6h).
• Multivariate analysis suggested a common transcriptomic signature of eating, not specific macronutrient effects.

Conclusions:

• Despite varied study designs and meals, common postprandial gene expression patterns exist.
• These findings highlight a shared transcriptomic response to the act of eating.
• This research aids future studies on metabolic flexibility in conditions like obesity and insulin resistance.