Moustafa Berrichi1,2, Aziz Hichami1, Lynda Addou-Klouche3, Amira Sayed Khan1, Naim Akhtar Khan1. 1. Physiologie de la Nutrition & Toxicologie, U1231 INSERM/Université de Bourgogne-Franche Comté (UBFC)/AgroSupDijon, 21000 Dijon, France. 2. Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Appliquée et Immunologie, Université Abou Bakr Belkaid, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria. 3. Faculté des Science de la Vie et de la Nature, Université Djillali Liabès, Sidi Bel Abbès 22000, Algeria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The spontaneous preference for dietary fat is regulated by two lingual lipid sensors (CD36 and GPR120) in humans and rodents. Our objective was to investigate whether obesity in children is associated with methylation of lipid sensor genes, and whether this alteration was implicated in altered gustatory perception of fat and bitter and increased preference of palatable foods. METHODS: School children were recruited and classified according to their body mass index (BMI) z-score into two groups: obese and lean children. The detection of orosensory perception for oleic acid and 6-n-propylthiouracil was assessed by using a 3-alternative forced-choice test. After blood DNA extraction, methylation patterns were investigated by methylation-specific PCR. The children were also subjected to a food habit questionnaire. RESULTS: Obese children showed higher lipid and bitter detection thresholds than lean children. Besides, more obese children presented higher methylation level of the CpG sites than lean participants. Interestingly, CD36 and GPR120 gene methylation was associated with high lipid detection thresholds in obese participants. The obese participants preferred highly palatable fat-rich food items, associated with CD36 and GPR120 gene methylation. CONCLUSION: Epigenetic changes in CD36 and GPR120 genes might contribute to low orosensory perception of fat and bitter taste, and might be, consequently, critically involved in obesity in children.
BACKGROUND: The spontaneous preference for dietary fat is regulated by two lingual lipid sensors (CD36 and GPR120) in humans and rodents. Our objective was to investigate whether obesity in children is associated with methylation of lipid sensor genes, and whether this alteration was implicated in altered gustatory perception of fat and bitter and increased preference of palatable foods. METHODS: School children were recruited and classified according to their body mass index (BMI) z-score into two groups: obese and lean children. The detection of orosensory perception for oleic acid and 6-n-propylthiouracil was assessed by using a 3-alternative forced-choice test. After blood DNA extraction, methylation patterns were investigated by methylation-specific PCR. The children were also subjected to a food habit questionnaire. RESULTS:Obesechildren showed higher lipid and bitter detection thresholds than lean children. Besides, more obesechildren presented higher methylation level of the CpG sites than lean participants. Interestingly, CD36 and GPR120 gene methylation was associated with highlipid detection thresholds in obeseparticipants. The obeseparticipants preferred highly palatable fat-rich food items, associated with CD36 and GPR120 gene methylation. CONCLUSION: Epigenetic changes in CD36 and GPR120 genes might contribute to low orosensory perception of fat and bitter taste, and might be, consequently, critically involved in obesity in children.
Authors: Jean Golding; Marcus E Pembrey; Steven Gregory; Matthew Suderman; Yasmin Iles-Caven; Kate Northstone Journal: Environ Epigenet Date: 2022-02-16