What is it about?

Exposure to a maternal high fat diet during pregnancy increases the risk of one's developing obesity and diabetes. We have identified a molecular biomarker (DNA hypermethylation) associated with high fat diet exposure that persists well into adulthood and is associated with changes in gene expression. The molecular biomarker overlaps regions of the genome that are genetically linked with atherosclerosis and insulin dependent diabetes.

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Why is it important?

This is important because we identify a stable molecular biomarker associated with an early life exposure shown to cause obesity and metabolic disease and that the biomarker is associated with changes in gene expression. Work with our mouse model of metabolic disease provides 'proof of principle' for the concept that biomarkers may be identified in humans at high risk for development of obesity and diabetes who can benefit the most of early life interventions that can set a more healthy life course for individuals carrying these biomarkers. The biomarkers may also reveal novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Perspectives

Diabetes and obesity are worldwide epidemics and the co-morbidities of these diseases greatly diminish quality of life of those affected while increasing costs of medical care. We know that these diseases can originate due to exposure that occur in the womb and can be transmitted across generations. Have a molecular handle on how this occurs, how we can identify early on those at high risk for these metabolic diseases gives us leverage in changes the course of this disease and it's incidence. Hopefully it will improve the quality of life of many people in the future. At present, I hope that the message gets out to as many people as possible to eat a healthy diet before getting pregnant as well as during pregnancy!

Maureen Charron
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

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This page is a summary of: In Utero Exposure to a High-Fat Diet Programs Hepatic Hypermethylation and Gene Dysregulation and Development of Metabolic Syndrome in Male Mice, Endocrinology, June 2017, Endocrine Society,
DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00334.
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