👤 Rasool Ghaffarian-Ensaf

Obesity has become a common global problem. Some obese people can be metabolically healthy. Gene-environment interaction can be important in this context. This study aimed to assess the interaction between dietary fat quality indices and the Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) gene in metabolically healthy and unhealthy overweight and obese women. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 women with overweight and obesity. The definition of metabolically healthy and unhealthy phenotypes was done according to Karelis criteria. Dietary assessment was done using a 147-item validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and dietary fat quality was assessed by cholesterol-saturated fat index (CSI) and the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 (N6/N3) essential fatty acids. MC4R was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. A generalized linear model was used to evaluate the interaction between dietary fat quality indices and the MC4R gene in both crude and adjusted models. Study subjects with higher ratio of N6/N3 had higher homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) index (P = 0.03) and other variables showed no difference according to the tertile of CSI and N6/N3. Participants with the C allele of MC4R rs17782313 had lower height (P < 0.001) and higher HOMA index (P = 0.01). We found that the CC genotype of MC4R interacts with the N6/N3 ratio on the metabolically unhealthy phenotype in the crude model (β = 9.94, CI 2.49-17.39, P = 0.009) and even after adjustment for all confounders (β = 9.002, CI 1.15-16.85, P = 0.02, β =  - 12.12, CI 2.79-21.46, P = 0.01). The data of this study can justify one inconsistency observed in society, regarding dietary recommendations about metabolic health status. Those with CC genotype, are more likely to have an unhealthy phenotype with an increase in N6/N3 as one fat quality indices than those who do not have CC genotype. We found the interaction of dietary fat quality indices such as N6/N3 and the MC4R gene in metabolically unhealthy overweight and obese women. Show less

Previous studies have shown that the minor allele (C allele) for melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) rs17782313 may be associated with depressed mood. Moreover, dietary patterns have potentially adverse effects on depression. This study investigates the interactions between the MC4R gene variant (rs17782313) and dietary patterns on depression among Iranian obese and overweight women. A total of 289 Iranian overweight and obese women, aged 18-50 years, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Biochemical, anthropometric, and body composition indices were assessed in all participants. Moreover, MC4R rs17782313, by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, and depression, using the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) questionnaire, were assessed. Food intakes were assessed by completing a 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). By the use of factor analysis, 2 major dietary patterns were extracted: healthy dietary pattern (HDP) and unhealthy dietary pattern (UDP). Binary logistic analysis showed that individuals with minor allele risk (CC) with high adherence to the unhealthy pattern increased odds for depression (OR: 8.77, 95%CI: -0.86-18.40, P: 0.07), after controlling for confounders. Also, a logical inverse relationship was observed between CT genotype and HDP on depression in the crude and adjusted models (OR: -0.56, 95% CI: -3.69-2.57, P: 0.72) (OR: -4.17, 95% CI: -9.28-0.94, P: 0.11), although this interaction was not statistically significant. According to the above findings, adherence to unhealthy food intake pattern increases odds of depression in MC4R risk allele (C allele) carriers. To confirm these findings, more studies are needed in the form of clinical trials and prospective studies with higher sample sizes. Show less

Mental health and sleep quality are associated with genetics and nutrient and energy intake. The present study examined the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) intake and genetic risk score (GRS) and their interactions on mental health and sleep quality in Iranian women. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 278 overweight and obese females aged between 18 and 56 years. According to the NOVA classification system, 37 food groups and beverages were collected using a 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The blood parameters of all participants were assessed. Mini-column kit (type G; Genall; Exgene) and the PCR-RFLP method were used to extract DNA and determine gene polymorphism, respectively. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including Caveolin₁ (Cav₁₎, Melanocortin4 receptor (MC4R), and cryptochrome circadian regulator 1 (CRY1), were used to calculate GRS. The individual risk allele (0, 1, 2) for each SNP was calculated using the incremental genetic model. After controlling for confounders, a significant interaction was found for depression (β = 0.026, 95% CI 0.003, 0.049, P = 0.028) and depression anxiety stress scales (DASS) score (β = 0.059, 95% CI 0.001, 0.117, P = 0.046) on the NOVA classification system and GRS. The findings of this study showed a significant interaction between GRS and the NOVA classification system on mental disorders, including depression, DASS score and stress. There was also a significant relationship between the NOVA classification system and anxiety, DASS score, sleep quality and depression. Furthermore, a partially significant association was observed between GRS and stress. Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study. Show less