In:
Hypertension, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), Vol. 41, No. 5 ( 2003-05), p. 1047-1055
Abstract:
Previous linkage and association studies have suggested that a region of human chromosome 6 containing the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and obesity-associated hypertension. The aim of the present investigation was to establish whether a segment of rat chromosome 20 (RNO20), which also contains the TNF-α gene, determines diet-induced changes in adiposity and blood pressure (BP). The results showed that a transfer of the RNO20 segment from the normotensive Brown Norway (BN) rat onto the background of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is associated with a significantly greater increase in adiposity, glucose intolerance, circulating leptin levels, and BP during 12-week, high-fat-diet feeding. In contrast, the transfer is not associated with significant changes in these variables during 12-week, normal-diet feeding. In addition, sequencing of the TNF-α gene revealed differences between SHR and BN in the 5′- and 3′-regulatory regions of the gene. Subsequent analyses of TNF-α gene expression in fat, muscle, and liver, however, did not provide support for the functional involvement of these differences. In summary, the investigated RNO20 segment contains 1 or more gene variants that affect adiposity, glucose tolerance, serum leptin levels, and BP, but only when the animals are exposed to a particular environment, ie, high-fat-diet feeding. Further studies are needed to identify genes mediating these effects. Considering current changes in our lifestyle involving an increased calorie and fat intake, we believe that gene-environment interactions, such as those described here, play an important role in the current epidemic of obesity and obesity-associated hypertension.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0194-911X
,
1524-4563
DOI:
10.1161/01.HYP.0000064347.49341.0B
Language:
English
Publisher:
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Publication Date:
2003
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2094210-2
Bookmarklink