Metabolic syndrome, genes and diet
Increased blood pressure, high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels come under the MetS umbrella. When these conditions occur together, there is an increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The 'Genes, Mediterranean dietary pattern and metabolic syndrome risk' (METSGENES) project studied whether genes are contributing to the syndrome. The scientists developed an obesity genetic predisposition score (GPS). They integrated over 60 single nucleotide polymorphisms into the score. The measure of obesity was also correlated with several studies in the United States. METSGENES studied the links between the obesity GPS and body mass index (BMI) with a focus on total and saturated fat in the diet. Obesity GPS correlated with the BMI and the fat intake (mainly saturated fat). Mediterranean diet components (omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid and vitamin E) improved the lipid profiles in the study population. The project also explored the potential of antisense therapeutic targeting of microRNAs (miRNAs) as a strategy to manage MetS. The scientists searched for the connection between fat intake and miRNA regulation. Rats ingested a diet containing soybean, olive, fish, linseed or palm oils, and their whole miRNome (whole-genome miRNAs) was evaluated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions. Results showed that maternal consumption of different fatty acids during early pregnancy influenced miRNA expression in both maternal and offspring tissues. This may epigenetically explain the long-term phenotypic changes (such as insulin sensibility) of the male offspring. The three-year project produced four scientific papers. Translating results into clinical practice and public health recommendations is important for prevention and therapy of the pre-diabetes phase of MetS.
