Jose M Ordovas1. 1. Nutrition and Genomics Laboratory, JM-USDA-Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. jose.ordovas@tufts.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although men and women share most genetic information, they have significantly different disease susceptibilities that go well beyond the expected gender-specific diseases. Sex influences the risk of nearly all common diseases that affect both men and women, including atherosclerosis and diabetes and their preceding risk factors (eg, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity). OBJECTIVE: The goal of this article was to examine the interplay between genes, gender, and disease susceptibility, and assess it in the context of the added complexity of environmental factors (ie, dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption) in the modulation of the balance between health and disease. METHODS: Original and review articles published by the author were reexamined for evidence of gene-gender interactions. RESULTS: Evidence from some key factors in lipid metabolism (apolipoprotein E [APOE])and obesity (perilipin [PLIN]) indicates that the interplay between genes, gender, and environmental factors modulates disease susceptibility. In the Framingham Heart Study, complex interactions have been shown between a promoter polymorphism at the apolipoprotein A1 gene, gender, and dietary poly-unsaturated fatty acid intake that modulate plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Likewise, highly and clinically relevant interactions have been observed between the APOE gene common alleles APOE2 , APOE3, and APOE4 , gender, and smoking that determine cardiovascular disease risk. Most interesting is the gender-dependent association between common polymorphisms at the PLIN locus and obesity risk that has been replicated in several populations around the world. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the idea that gender-specific differences in morbidity and mortality may be mediated in part by genetic factors and by their differential response to the environment. The new knowledge generated by a more careful and complete elucidation of the complex interactions predisposing to common diseases will result in an increased ability to provide successful personalized behavioral recommendations to prevent chronic disorders.
BACKGROUND: Although men and women share most genetic information, they have significantly different disease susceptibilities that go well beyond the expected gender-specific diseases. Sex influences the risk of nearly all common diseases that affect both men and women, including atherosclerosis and diabetes and their preceding risk factors (eg, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity). OBJECTIVE: The goal of this article was to examine the interplay between genes, gender, and disease susceptibility, and assess it in the context of the added complexity of environmental factors (ie, dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption) in the modulation of the balance between health and disease. METHODS: Original and review articles published by the author were reexamined for evidence of gene-gender interactions. RESULTS: Evidence from some key factors in lipid metabolism (apolipoprotein E [APOE])and obesity (perilipin [PLIN]) indicates that the interplay between genes, gender, and environmental factors modulates disease susceptibility. In the Framingham Heart Study, complex interactions have been shown between a promoter polymorphism at the apolipoprotein A1 gene, gender, and dietary poly-unsaturated fatty acid intake that modulate plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Likewise, highly and clinically relevant interactions have been observed between the APOE gene common alleles APOE2 , APOE3, and APOE4 , gender, and smoking that determine cardiovascular disease risk. Most interesting is the gender-dependent association between common polymorphisms at the PLIN locus and obesity risk that has been replicated in several populations around the world. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the idea that gender-specific differences in morbidity and mortality may be mediated in part by genetic factors and by their differential response to the environment. The new knowledge generated by a more careful and complete elucidation of the complex interactions predisposing to common diseases will result in an increased ability to provide successful personalized behavioral recommendations to prevent chronic disorders.
Authors: Jennifer A McKenzie; Sarah Witkowski; Andrew T Ludlow; Stephen M Roth; James M Hagberg Journal: Exp Physiol Date: 2010-11-19 Impact factor: 2.969
Authors: Christine M Williams; Jose M Ordovas; Dennis Lairon; John Hesketh; Georg Lietz; Mike Gibney; Ben van Ommen Journal: Genes Nutr Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 5.523
Authors: Michael Fenech; Ahmed El-Sohemy; Leah Cahill; Lynnette R Ferguson; Tapaeru-Ariki C French; E Shyong Tai; John Milner; Woon-Puay Koh; Lin Xie; Michelle Zucker; Michael Buckley; Leah Cosgrove; Trevor Lockett; Kim Y C Fung; Richard Head Journal: J Nutrigenet Nutrigenomics Date: 2011-05-28
Authors: Alexander M Kulminski; Irina Culminskaya; Konstantin G Arbeev; Svetlana V Ukraintseva; Eric Stallard; Liubov Arbeeva; Anatoli I Yashin Journal: Aging Cell Date: 2013-02-18 Impact factor: 9.304
Authors: Alexander M Kulminski; Irina Culminskaya; Konstantin G Arbeev; Svetlana V Ukraintseva; Liubov Arbeeva; Anatoli I Yashin Journal: Rejuvenation Res Date: 2013-02 Impact factor: 4.663
Authors: Nicolle D Myers; Narisara Chantratita; William R Berrington; Wirongrong Chierakul; Direk Limmathurotsakul; Vanaporn Wuthiekanun; Johanna D Robertson; H Denny Liggitt; Sharon J Peacock; Shawn J Skerrett; T Eoin West Journal: J Immunol Date: 2013-12-02 Impact factor: 5.422