Obesity and Nutrigenetics Testing: New Insights.

BACKGROUND: Obesity results from interactions between environmental factors, lifestyle, and genetics. In this scenario, nutritional genomics and nutrigenetic tests stand out, with the promise of helping patients avoid or treat obesity. This narrative review investigates whether nutrigenetic tests may help to prevent or treat obesity. Scientific studies in PubMed Science Direct were reviewed, focusing on using nutrigenetic tests in obesity. The work showed that few studies address the use of tools in obesity. However, most of the studies listed reported their beneficial effects in weight loss. Ethical conflicts were also discussed, as in most countries, there are no regulations to standardize these tools, and there needs to be more scientific knowledge for health professionals who interpret them. International Societies, such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, do not recommend nutrigenetic tests to prevent or treat obesity, especially in isolation. Advancing nutrigenetics depends on strengthening three pillars: regulation between countries, scientific evidence with clinical validity, and professional training.

What Differentiates Probiotic from Pathogenic Bacteria? The Genetic Mobility of Enterococcus faecium Offers New Molecular Insights.

Enterococcus faecium is a lactic acid bacterium with applications in food engineering and nutrigenomics, including as starter cultures in fermented foods. To differentiate the E. faecium probiotic from pathogenic bacteria, physiological analyses are often used but they do not guarantee that a bacterial strain is not pathogenic. We report here new findings and an approach based on comparison of the genetic mobility of (1) probiotic, (2) pathogenic, and (3) nonpathogenic and non-probiotic strains, so as to differentiate probiotics, and inform their safe use. The region of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes of different E. faecium strains native to Pernambuco-Brazil was used with the GenBank query sequence. Complete genomes were selected and divided into three groups as noted above to identify the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) (transposase, integrase, conjugative transposon protein and phage) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and to undertake pan-genome analysis and multiple genome alignment. Differences in the number of MGEs were found in ARGs, in the presence and absence of the genes that differentiate E. faecium probiotics and pathogenic bacteria genetically. Our data suggest that genetic mobility appears to be informative in differentiating between probiotic and pathogenic strains. While the present findings are not necessarily applicable to all probiotics, they offer novel molecular insights to guide future research in nutrigenomics, clinical medicine, and food engineering on new ways to differentiate pathogenic from probiotic bacteria.

Big Data for Nutrition Research in Pediatric Oncology: Current State and Framework for Advancement.

Recognition and treatment of malnutrition in pediatric oncology patients is crucial because it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Nutrition-relevant data collected from cancer clinical trials and nutrition-specific studies are insufficient to drive high-impact nutrition research without augmentation from additional data sources. To date, clinical big data resources are underused for nutrition research in pediatric oncology. Health-care big data can be broadly subclassified into three clinical data categories: administrative, electronic health record (including clinical data research networks and learning health systems), and mobile health. Along with -omics data, each has unique applications and limitations. We summarize the potential use of clinical big data to drive pediatric oncology nutrition research and identify key scientific gaps. A framework for advancement of big data utilization for pediatric oncology nutrition research is presented and focuses on transdisciplinary teams, data interoperability, validated cohort curation, data repurposing, and mobile health applications.

Nutrigenômica e nutrigenética em pequenos animais: revisão de literatura / Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetic in small animais: literatura review / Nutrigenômica y Nutrigenética en pequenos animales: revision de literatura

A nutrição genômica é ciência que estuda as influências dos fatores dietéticos sobre o genoma, ou seja, investiga como os nutrientes modificam a expressão gênica nas células e tecidos de interesse para melhor compreender como os componentes alimentares podem afetar as rotas metabólicas e o controle homeostático. A possibilidade de adequar a alimentação às características do código genético de cada indivíduo e, assim, melhorar a sua qualidade de vida, otimizar a saúde e prevenir importantes doenças, têm estimulado pesquisadores de todo o mundo a aprofundar conhecimentos nesse segmento de pesquisa. Porém, na medicinaveterinária, trata-se de área ainda em expansão, e por serem escassas as informações relacionadas a ela na bibliografia mundial, o objetivo do presente estudo é trazer uma revisão de literatura sobre essa nova ferramenta da nutrição animal com o intuito de disseminar conhecimentos acerca da mesma.

The genomic nutrition is a science that studies the influence of dietary factors on the genome and investigates how nutrients alter gene expression in cells and tissues of interest, enabling a better understanding of how food components affect metabolic pathways and homeostatic control. The possibility of adapting the feeding to the characteristics of the genetic code of each individual and thus improve the quality of life, optimize health and prevent major diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, has stimulated researchers around the world to deepen their knowledge in this research segment. However, in veterinary medicine, is still an expanding area, and because are still scarce the information related to it in the world bibliography, so the purpose of this study is to bring more information about this new pet nutrition tool in order to disseminate knowledge about it.

La nutrición genómica es la ciencia que estudia las influencias de los factores dietéticos sobre el genoma, o sea, investiga como los nutrientes modifican la expresión génica en las células y tejidos de interés para mejor comprensión como los componentes alimenticios pueden afectar las rutas metabólicas y el control homeostático. La posibilidad de adecuar la alimentación a la característica del código genético de cada individuo y, así, mejorar su calidad de vida, optimizar la salud y prevenir importantes enfermedades, hay estipulado controladores de todo el mundo a profundizar conocimientos en este segmento de control. Por lo tanto, en la medicina veterinaria, se trata de un área aún en expansión, y por ser escasas las informaciones relacionadas a ellas en la bibliografia mundial, el objetivo del presente estudio es una revisión de la literatura sobre esta nueva herramienta de la nutrición animal con la intención de diseminar conocimientos sobre la misma.

Nutrigenômica e nutrigenética em pequenos animais: revisão de literatura / Nutrigenomics and nutrigenetic in small animais: literatura review / Nutrigenômica y Nutrigenética en pequenos animales: revision de literatura

A nutrição genômica é ciência que estuda as influências dos fatores dietéticos sobre o genoma, ou seja, investiga como os nutrientes modificam a expressão gênica nas células e tecidos de interesse para melhor compreender como os componentes alimentares podem afetar as rotas metabólicas e o controle homeostático. A possibilidade de adequar a alimentação às características do código genético de cada indivíduo e, assim, melhorar a sua qualidade de vida, otimizar a saúde e prevenir importantes doenças, têm estimulado pesquisadores de todo o mundo a aprofundar conhecimentos nesse segmento de pesquisa. Porém, na medicinaveterinária, trata-se de área ainda em expansão, e por serem escassas as informações relacionadas a ela na bibliografia mundial, o objetivo do presente estudo é trazer uma revisão de literatura sobre essa nova ferramenta da nutrição animal com o intuito de disseminar conhecimentos acerca da mesma.(AU)

The genomic nutrition is a science that studies the influence of dietary factors on the genome and investigates how nutrients alter gene expression in cells and tissues of interest, enabling a better understanding of how food components affect metabolic pathways and homeostatic control. The possibility of adapting the feeding to the characteristics of the genetic code of each individual and thus improve the quality of life, optimize health and prevent major diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, has stimulated researchers around the world to deepen their knowledge in this research segment. However, in veterinary medicine, is still an expanding area, and because are still scarce the information related to it in the world bibliography, so the purpose of this study is to bring more information about this new pet nutrition tool in order to disseminate knowledge about it.(AU)

La nutrición genómica es la ciencia que estudia las influencias de los factores dietéticos sobre el genoma, o sea, investiga como los nutrientes modifican la expresión génica en las células y tejidos de interés para mejor comprensión como los componentes alimenticios pueden afectar las rutas metabólicas y el control homeostático. La posibilidad de adecuar la alimentación a la característica del código genético de cada individuo y, así, mejorar su calidad de vida, optimizar la salud y prevenir importantes enfermedades, hay estipulado controladores de todo el mundo a profundizar conocimientos en este segmento de control. Por lo tanto, en la medicina veterinaria, se trata de un área aún en expansión, y por ser escasas las informaciones relacionadas a ellas en la bibliografia mundial, el objetivo del presente estudio es una revisión de la literatura sobre esta nueva herramienta de la nutrición animal con la intención de diseminar conocimientos sobre la misma.(AU)

Brazilian Society for Food and Nutrition position statement: nutrigenetic tests

Position statement: The Brazilian Society for Food and Nutrition (SBAN) bases the following position statement on acritical analysis of the literature on nutritional genomics and nutrigenetic tests: (1) Nutrigenetic tests are predictive and not diagnostic, should not replace other evaluations required to treatment, and should only be used as an additional tool to nutritional prescription; (2) Nutritionists/registered dietitians and other health professionals must be able to interpret the nutrigenetic tests and properly guide their patients, as well as build their professional practice ongeneral ethical principles and those established by regulatory authorities; (3) It is extremely important to highlight that them is interpretation of nutrigenetic tests can cause psychological and health problems to the patient; (4) Currently, there is insufficient scientific evidence for the recommendation of dietary planning and nutritional supplementation based only on nutrigenetic tests. This position statement has been externally reviewed and approved by the board of SBAN and has not gone through the journal's standard peer review process.

Guide for Current Nutrigenetic, Nutrigenomic, and Nutriepigenetic Approaches for Precision Nutrition Involving the Prevention and Management of Chronic Diseases Associated with Obesity.

Chronic diseases, including obesity, are major causes of morbidity and mortality in most countries. The adverse impacts of obesity and associated comorbidities on health remain a major concern due to the lack of effective interventions for prevention and management. Precision nutrition is an emerging therapeutic approach that takes into account an individual's genetic and epigenetic information, as well as age, gender, or particular physiopathological status. Advances in genomic sciences are contributing to a better understanding of the role of genetic variants and epigenetic signatures as well as gene expression patterns in the development of diverse chronic conditions, and how they may modify therapeutic responses. This knowledge has led to the search for genetic and epigenetic biomarkers to predict the risk of developing chronic diseases and personalizing their prevention and treatment. Additionally, original nutritional interventions based on nutrients and bioactive dietary compounds that can modify epigenetic marks and gene expression have been implemented. Although caution must be exercised, these scientific insights are paving the way for the design of innovative strategies for the control of chronic diseases accompanying obesity. This document provides a number of examples of the huge potential of understanding nutrigenetic, nutrigenomic, and nutriepigenetic roles in precision nutrition.

Nutrigenomics and Beef Quality: A Review about Lipogenesis.

The objective of the present review is to discuss the results of published studies that show how nutrition affects the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and how diet manipulation might change marbling and composition of fat in beef. Several key points in the synthesis of fat in cattle take place at the molecular level, and the association of nutritional factors with the modulation of this metabolism is one of the recent targets of nutrigenomic research. Within this context, special attention has been paid to the study of nuclear receptors associated with fatty acid metabolism. Among the transcription factors involved in lipid metabolism, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) stand out. The mRNA synthesis of these transcription factors is regulated by nutrients, and their metabolic action might be potentiated by diet components and change lipogenesis in muscle. Among the options for dietary manipulation with the objective to modulate lipogenesis, the use of different sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, starch concentrations, forage ratios and vitamins stand out. Therefore, special care must be exercised in feedlot feed management, mainly when the goal is to produce high marbling beef.

Dihydrofolate reductase 19-bp deletion polymorphism modifies the association of folate status with memory in a cross-sectional multi-ethnic study of adults.

BACKGROUND: Folate status has been positively associated with cognitive function in many studies; however, some studies have observed associations of poor cognitive outcomes with high folate. In search of an explanation, we hypothesized that the association of folate with cognition would be modified by the interaction of high-folate status with a common 19-bp deletion polymorphism in the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene. To our knowledge, the cognitive effects of this gene have not been studied previously. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between cognitive outcomes with the 19-bp deletion DHFR polymorphism, folate status, and their interaction with high or normal plasma folate. DESIGN: This was a pooled cross-sectional study of the following 2 Boston-based cohorts of community living adults: the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study and the Nutrition, Aging, and Memory in Elders study. Individuals were genotyped for the DHFR 19-bp deletion genotype, and plasma folate status was determined. Cognitive outcomes included the Mini-Mental State Examination, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and factor scores for the domains of memory, executive function, and attention from a set of cognitive tests. RESULTS: The prevalence of the homozygous deletion (del/del) genotype was 23%. In a multivariable analysis, high folate status (>17.8 ng/mL) was associated with better memory scores than was normal-folate status (fourth-fifth quintiles compared with first-third quintiles: ß ± SE = -0.22 ± 0.06, P < 0.01). Carriers of the DHFR del/del genotype had worse memory scores (ß ± SE = -0.24 ± 0.10, P < 0.05) and worse executive scores (ß = -0.19, P < 0.05) than did those with the del/ins and ins/ins genotypes. Finally, we observed an interaction such that carriers of the del/del genotype with high folate had significantly worse memory scores than those of both noncarriers with high-folate and del/del carriers with normal-folate (ß-interaction = 0.26 ± 0.13, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies a putative gene-nutrient interaction that, if confirmed, would predict that a sizable minority carrying the del/del genotype might not benefit from high-folate status and could see a worsening of memory. An understanding of how genetic variation affects responses to high-folate exposure will help weigh risks and benefits of folate supplementation for individuals and public health.

Associations between polymorphisms in the AHR and CYP1A1-CYP1A2 gene regions and habitual caffeine consumption.

BACKGROUND: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) from populations of European descent identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1A2 (CYP1A1-CYP1A2) genes that are associated with habitual caffeine and coffee consumption. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether these SNPs (AHR: rs6968865 and rs4410790; CYP1A1-CYP1A2: rs2472297 and rs2470893) and 6 additional tag SNPs in the AHR gene were associated with habitual caffeine consumption in a Costa Rican population. DESIGN: Subjects were from a case-control study of gene-diet interactions and myocardial infarction. Subjects with hypertension or missing information on smoking, caffeine intake, or genotype were excluded. Subjects were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction with mass spectrometry-based detection, and caffeine intake was assessed by using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Compared with subjects who consumed <100 mg caffeine/d, subjects who consumed >400 mg caffeine/d were more likely to be carriers of the T, C, or T allele for rs6968865, rs4410790, and rs2472297, respectively. The corresponding ORs and 95% CIs were 1.41 (1.03, 1.93), 1.41 (1.04, 1.92), and 1.55 (1.01, 2.36). Multivariate-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for rs6968865 were 1.44 (1.03, 2.00) for all subjects, 1.75 (1.16, 2.65) for nonsmokers, 1.15 (0.58, 2.30) for current smokers, 2.42 (1.45, 4.04) for subjects >57 y old, and 1.00 (0.65, 1.56) for subjects ≤57 y old. A similar effect modification was observed for rs4410790 but not for rs2472297. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that previous associations between SNPs in AHR and CYP1A1-CYP1A2 and caffeine and coffee consumption from GWASs in European populations are also observed in an ethnically distinct Costa Rican population, but age and smoking are important effect modifiers.

Nutrição no pós-genoma: fundamentos e aplicações de ferramentas ômicas / Nutrition in the post-genome era: 'omic' tools basics and applications

Após seqüenciamento do genoma humano, os estudos genômicos têm se voltado à elucidação das funções de todos os genes, bem como à caracterização de suas interações com fatores ambientais. A nutrigenômica surgiu no contexto do pós-genoma humano e é considerada área-chave para a nutrição nesta década. Seu foco de estudo baseia-se na interação gene-nutriente. Esta ciência recente tem como objetivo principal o estabelecimento de dietas personalizadas, com base no genótipo, para a promoção da saúde e a redução do risco de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis como as cardiovasculares, o câncer, o diabetes, entre outras. Nesse contexto, é fundamental a aplicação na área de nutrição das ferramentas de genômica funcional para análise do transcritoma (transcritômica), do proteoma (proteômica) e do metaboloma (metabolômica). As aplicabilidades dessas metodologias em estudos nutricionais parecem ilimitadas, pois podem ser conduzidas em cultura de células, modelos de experimentação em animais, estudos pré-clinicos e clínicos. Tais técnicas apresentam potencial para identificar biomarcadores que respondem especificamente a um determinado nutriente ou composto bioativo dos alimentos e para estabelecer as melhores recomendações dietéticas individuais para redução do risco das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e promoção da saúde.

After sequencing the human genome, genomic studies have been focusing on elucidating the function of all genes, as well as characterizing their interactions with environmental factors. Nutrigenomics emerged in the pos-genome era and is considered a key-area for nutrition in the present decade. Its research focus is nutrient-gene interaction. The main objective of this recent science is to establish personalized genotype-based diets that promote health and reduce the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and others. In this context, it is essential to use functional genomic tools to analyze the transcriptome (transcriptomics), proteome (proteomics) and metabolome (metabolomics) in the field of nutrition. The applicabilities of such methodologies in nutritional studies seem unlimited since they can be conducted in cell cultures, animal models and pre-clinical and clinical studies. Such techniques may allow one to identify biomarkers that respond specifically to a certain dietary nutrient or bioactive compound and to establish the best individual dietary advice to reduce the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases and promote health.

Essential amino acid usage and evolutionary nutrigenomics of eukaryotes--insights into the differential usage of amino acids in protein domains and extra-domains.

Nutrigenomics studies the effects of nutrients on the genome, transcriptome and proteome of organisms, and here an evolutionary standpoint on this new discipline is presented. It is well known that metazoan organisms are unable to synthesize all amino acids necessary to produce their proteins and that these essential amino acids (EAA) must be acquired from the diet. Here, we tested the hypothesis that conserved regions such as protein domains (DM) have different essentiality indexes and use different sets of amino acids when compared to extra-domains (ED) and proteins without mapped domains (WD). We found that auxotrophic organisms have a tendency to use less EAAs in DM than do prototrophic ones. Looking into the amino acid usage of eukaryotic proteins downloaded from KEGG and COG, we showed that WD have a usage of amino acids closer to DM, which suggests that proteins without mapped domains behave as large domains. Using an ED index that shows the proportion of prevalent amino acids in ED, a differential usage of amino acids in domains versus extra-domains was demonstrated. Protein domains were shown to be enriched with a higher number of EAA, and it may be related to the fact that these amino acids had lost their biosynthetic pathways in metazoans during a great amino acid pathway deletion, followed by a nutritional constraint that may have happened close to the conquest of the terrestrial environment. Thus, the proportion of EAA outside domains could have decreased during evolution due to nutritional constraints.