DNA methylation pattern in obese humans under an energy-restricted diet supplemented with fish oil

• Grant number: 11/23567-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: April 15, 2012
• End date: December 14, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Rui Curi
• Grantee: Cátia Lira Do Amaral
• Supervisor: Jose Alfredo Martinez
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad de Navarra, Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 10/07596-8 - Evaluation of DNA methylation changes by high-fat-induced obesity and a possible modulated efect of omega-3 fatty acids in vivo, BP.PD

Abstract

The epigenetic mechanisms are modulated by environmental factors that can alter the individual phenotype. One explanation for the increase in obesity may be associated with changes in these mechanisms. Experimental studies in animals and clinical trials in humans show changes in DNA methylation resulting from obesity. In addition to the beneficial effects on lipid profile, fish oil is recognized for its effects in reducing body weight when combined with energy-restricted diet. The weight loss induced by fish oil supplementation under an energy-restricted diet may be due to changes in DNA methylation of genes associated with obesity. Then, this study aims to assay the DNA methylation pattern in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in overweight or obese subjects under an energy-restricted diet supplemented with fish oil. In paralleled, DNA methylation pattern will also assay in adipose tissue from diet induced obesity mice supplemented with fish oil. Some genes associated with obesity will be selected for methylation assays by MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry) or MSP (methylation specific PCR). Thus, the present study will contribute to determine the effect of fish oil supplementation on DNA methylation in humans (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) and obese mice (adipose tissue). (AU)