Implication of genetic variants in overweight and obesity susceptibility among the young Arab population of the United Arab Emirates

Chehadeh, Sarah El Hajj; Osman, Wael; Nazar, Suna; Jerman, Laila A.; Alghafri, Ameera; Sajwani, Ali; Alawlaqi, Mohamed; AlObeidli, Mohamed; Jelinek, Herbert F.; Anouti, Fatme Al; Khalaf, Kinda; Alsafar, Habiba

doi:10.1016/j.gene.2020.144509

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…The evidence concerning this specific polymorphism that might contribute to overweight and altered feeding patterns is not limited to the populations mentioned above, but it has been also investigated and found in subjects of different nationalities and ethnic origins [ 147 , 155 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 ], where the majority of these studies addressed the vulnerability of women and children to moderate and severe obesity and aberrant eating behaviors [ 141 , 157 , 161 , 163 ].…”

Section: Melanocortin Receptors In Feedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Melanocortin System behind the Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors

et al. 2020

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The dysfunction of melanocortin signaling has been associated with obesity, given the important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, food intake, satiety and body weight. In the hypothalamus, the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) contribute to the stability of these processes, but MC3R and MC4R are also localized in the mesolimbic dopamine system, the region that responds to the reinforcing properties of highly palatable food (HPF) and where these two receptors seem to affect food reward and motivation. Loss of function of the MC4R, resulting from genetic mutations, leads to overeating in humans, but to date, a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms and behaviors that promote overconsumption of caloric foods remains unknown. Moreover, the MC4R demonstrated to be a crucial modulator of the stress response, factor that is known to be strictly related to binge eating behavior. In this review, we will explore the preclinical and clinical studies, and the controversies regarding the involvement of melanocortin system in altered eating patterns, especially binge eating behavior, food reward and motivation.

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Section: Melanocortin Receptors In Feedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Melanocortin System behind the Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors

et al. 2020

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“…Our group investigated the association of genetic variants within VDR and other genes important in vitamin D metabolism with type 2 diabetes among Emiratis and concluded that a strong association existed with risk of disease for specific variants [19,20]. In a similar context, we showed the implications of such genetic variants in susceptibility to obesity among young Arabs in the UAE [21]. Thus, exploring the relation of genetic variants involved in vitamin D metabolism and COVID-19 severity is worth considering and might offer population-based tools to identify individuals at greater risk of developing severe disease outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Associations between Genetic Variants in the Vitamin D Metabolism Pathway and Severity of COVID-19 among UAE Residents

et al. 2021

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Vitamin D has many effects on cells in the immune system. Many studies have linked low vitamin D status with severity of COVID-19. Genetic variants involved in vitamin D metabolism have been implicated as potential risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes. This study investigated how genetic variations in humans affected the clinical presentation of COVID-19. In total, 646 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were divided into two groups: noncritical COVID-19 (n = 453; 70.12%) and a critical group (n = 193; 29.87%). Genotype data on the GC, NADSYN1, VDR, and CYP2R1 genes along with data on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were compiled in patients admitted to a major hospital in the United Arab Emirates between April 2020 and January 2021. We identified 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the critical COVID-19 condition: rs59241277, rs113574864, rs182901986, rs60349934, and rs113876500; rs4944076, rs4944997, rs4944998, rs4944979, and rs10898210; and rs11574018 and rs11574024. We report significant associations between genetic determinants of vitamin D metabolism and COVID-19 severity in the UAE population. Further research needed to clarify the mechanism of action against viral infection in vitamin D deficiency. These variants could be used with vaccination to manage the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and could be particularly valuable in populations in which vitamin D deficiency is common.

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“…Thus, those factors could be interacting with LPL variants increasing the risk to develop obesity. In the same region different genetic variants (FTO gene) found to be associated with risk of overweight/obesity among the young UAE Arab population [ 42 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%