Abstract
Cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) comprise a cluster of risk factors that contribute to chronic pathological conditions with adverse consequences for cardiovascular function and metabolic processes. A wide range of CMD prevalence rates among different ethnic groups has been documented. In view of accumulated evidence, there is a trend toward increasing CMD prevalence rates in Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Numerous studies have revealed an association between uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene variants and CMDs. UCP1 activity is essential for brown adipose tissue (BAT)-mediated thermogenesis. Experimental animal studies and epidemiological studies in humans highlight the significance of BAT-mediated thermogenesis in protecting against obesity and maintaining a lean phenotype. We hypothesize that the genetic variation in UCP1 gene expression observed among different ethnic groups could contribute to the ethnic-specific predisposition to CMD development. Constructing such prevalence maps of UCP1 gene variants could contribute significantly into identifying high-risk ethnic groups predisposed to the development of CMDs, and further shaping public health policies by the improvement of existing preventive and management strategies.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030 more than 23 million patients affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) – the leading cause of death globally – will die annually (WHO, 2016a), while diabetes will become the seventh leading cause of death (WHO, 2016b)
Numerous genetic association studies in selective European populations have been performed to explore a potential link between uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene variants and cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs), often yielding to controversial results
Given the increased CMD prevalence rates in ethnic groups in Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is expected that large case-control, population-based studies will identify those UCP1 gene variants that predispose ethnic groups across these regions to CMD development
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030 more than 23 million patients affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) – the leading cause of death globally – will die annually (WHO, 2016a), while diabetes will become the seventh leading cause of death (WHO, 2016b). Emerging evidence of CVD prevalence rates being the highest globally among ethnic groups in Eastern Europe and Western Asia (Balkau et al, 2007), suggests investigation of the effect of UCP1 gene variants on CMD predisposition across these regions.
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