Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are involved in a wide variety of biological functions. Linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid are two essential fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize. The conversion rates in the body depend on FADS2 genetic variants. Certain variations in this gene are directly responsible for the low levels and poor conversion efficiency of the delta-6 desaturase enzyme, resulting in low circulating levels of docosahexaenoic acid. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the rs526126 FADS2 gene polymorphism on fatty acid levels in a group of two hundred children (n = 95 males, n = 105 females) aged 7–18 years, with obesity defined by BMI > +2 SD. Fatty acid quantification was performed by LC-MS/MS while genotyping for genetic variants was performed using a custom-made hotspot sequencing panel of 55 SNPs. Our results suggest that rs526126 FADS2 gene polymorphism specifically impacts the plasma levels of free n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Finally, the presence of the minor allele G of rs526126 could have beneficial effects, as it was associated with higher levels of free docosahexaenoic acid in plasma, especially in children with low n-3 intakes.
Highlights
Obesity in children represents a public health issue, being primarily linked to dietary intake and genetic patterns
This study aimed to evaluate the association between FADS2 gene variants and the levels of free PUFAs in plasma in overweight children while taking into account their dietary habits
The results showed that the low-frequency G allele of rs526126 was associated with higher levels of plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) only for DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) intakes lower than
Summary
Obesity in children represents a public health issue, being primarily linked to dietary intake and genetic patterns. The young population has easy access to highcalorie and taste-appealing foods that contribute to chronic metabolic diseases when included in dietary and lifestyle choices [1]. The persistence of obesity into adulthood is directly correlated with a greater risk for heart and autoimmune diseases, cancer, altered brain plasticity, and poorer motor skills [3,4]. Such risks are higher with increasing body mass index (BMI) of over 30 kg/m2 [5]. Several studies have demonstrated that high visceral and central adiposity is associated with a higher risk for cardio-metabolic diseases, independent of BMI [5]
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