Wilhelm Julia, Birkenstock Anna, Buchholz Vanessa, Müller Astrid, Aly Sherif Adel, Gruner-Labitzke Kerstin, Koehler Hinrich, Lichtinghagen Ralf, Jahn Kirsten, Groh Adrian, Kahl Kai G, de Zwaan Martina, Hillemacher Thomas, Bleich Stefan, Frieling Helge
Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Outpatient Treatment Center (ABC), Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany.
Obes Facts. 2021 Feb 2;14(1):1-7. doi: 10.1159/000511918.
DNA methylation constitutes one important epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression in human cells. With regard to obesity, bariatric surgery-induced weight loss has been associated with promoter methylation changes in several genes. Hyperleptinemia is a characteristic feature of obesity. The underlying regulating mechanisms have not yet been completely elucidated.
We investigated the methylation of the promoters of the leptin gene (LEP) and the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) as well as leptin expression in pre- and postbariatric surgery patients using a comparative cross-sectional design.
Our results revealed significantly higher LEP promoter methylation patterns in prebariatric surgery patients compared to postoperatively. DNA methylation of the LEPR promoter was significantly higher in the postoperative group. Moreover, we found significantly higher leptin serum levels in patients before the bariatric surgery than afterwards.
These findings strengthen the suggestion that there is an association between LEP expression and LEP methylation in obesity. We suggest that the epigenetic profile of LEP might be influenced by leptin serum levels in the form of a regulating feedback mechanism.
DNA甲基化是调节人类细胞基因表达的一种重要表观遗传机制。关于肥胖症，减肥手术导致的体重减轻与多个基因的启动子甲基化变化有关。高瘦素血症是肥胖症的一个特征。其潜在的调节机制尚未完全阐明。
我们采用比较横断面设计，研究了减肥手术前后患者瘦素基因（LEP）和瘦素受体基因（LEPR）启动子的甲基化情况以及瘦素表达。
我们的结果显示，与术后相比，减肥手术前患者的LEP启动子甲基化模式显著更高。术后组LEPR启动子的DNA甲基化显著更高。此外，我们发现减肥手术前患者的血清瘦素水平明显高于术后。
这些发现进一步表明肥胖症中LEP表达与LEP甲基化之间存在关联。我们认为LEP的表观遗传特征可能以调节反馈机制的形式受到血清瘦素水平的影响。
