Association of the rs17782313, rs17773430 and rs34114122 Polymorphisms of/near Gene with Obesity-Related Biomarkers in a Spanish Pediatric Cohort.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease whose onset and development are shaped by the individual genetic background. The melanocortin 4 receptor gene () is involved in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Some of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of this gene are related to obesity and metabolic risk factors.

Reduced Free Fatty Acid Receptor 4 Gene Expression is Associated With Extreme Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Children.

Objectives: Free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4) is a G-protein-coupled membrane receptor highly expressed in macrophages that triggers anti-inflammatory effects and promotes insulin sensitization. We have previously found significant associations between the FFAR4 rs11187533 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and various obesity comorbidity parameters. We aimed to verify the FFAR4 expression levels in children with obesity and the associated comorbidities.

Melatonin Levels in Children with Obesity Are Associated with Metabolic Risk and Inflammatory Parameters.

Melatonin, the hormone of circadian rhythm regulation, is involved in the modulation of mitochondrial activity through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Alteration of circadian rhythms such as sleep is related to obesity and metabolic pathogenesis in adulthood, but studies during childhood are scarce. The present study investigated the association of melatonin with metabolic and inflammatory markers in children with ( = 113) and without obesity ( = 117).

Vitamin D receptor gene and polymorphisms and its association with inflammation and oxidative stress in vitamin D sufficient Caucasian Spanish children.

Background: Vitamin D has gone from being just one vitamin to being an important prohormone with multiple effects on different tissue types. The mechanism of action of the active form or calcitriol is mediated by the intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR). The interaction of the VDR with calcitriol modulates the expression of target genes involved in cell proliferation and cytokine production.

Melatonin Content of Human Milk: The Effect of Mode of Delivery.

Cesarean section rates are increasing in developed countries and could be performed as an emergency or elective procedure. Our research aim was to determine whether elective cesarean section influences the melatonin content, the main circadian hormone, in human milk. Twenty-one women after vaginal delivery and 18 women after elective cesarean section were included.

The rs11187533 C>T Variant of the FFAR4 Gene Is Associated with Lower Levels of Fasting Glucose and Decreases in Markers of Liver Injury in Children with Obesity.

Introduction: Genetic factors can modulate the development of associated comorbidities in obesity. It has been shown that loss-of-function variants of the free fatty acid receptor 4 (FFAR4) gene negatively affect obesity comorbidities such as insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.

Objective: To test the relationships of metabolic factors in children with obesity with variants of the FFAR4 gene.

The connection of circadian rhythm to inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises a group of chronic, immune system-mediated inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of the intestinal lesions in IBD remains elusive, but the inflammation process could be the result of dysfunction of the innate and adaptive immune systems induced by genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, research has demonstrated a connection between environmental stressors that can influence day-night variations, also called circadian rhythms, and digestive health.

Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 supplementation improves inflammatory status in insulin-resistant obese children.

Purpose: The relationships between gut microbiota and obesity-related co-morbidities have been increasingly recognized. Low-grade inflammation may be the main factor in the pathogenesis of such disorders. We investigated the effect of the potential probiotic Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 on cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiota composition in obese children with insulin resistance.

Association of RBP4 genetic variants with childhood obesity and cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: Recent data suggest that retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) gene variants could be associated with a risk of obesity and its co-morbidities, such as metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

Objectives: The present study examined the potential association of RBP4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with childhood obesity and its metabolic complications.

Methods: Four RBP4 SNPs, rs3758538 (3944A>C), rs3758539 (4406G>A), rs12265684 (12177G>C) and rs34571439 (14684T>G), were genotyped in a population of 180 Spanish Caucasian children (97 obese and 83 normal-weight children).

Short Sleep Duration Is Related to Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Children.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of sleep duration on cardiovascular risk factors in obese children.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 90 obese children ages 7 to 16 years. Anthropometric and clinical evaluation with specification of dietary and lifestyle habits was carried out during an office visit.