Leptin DNA methylation and its association with metabolic risk factors in a northwest Indian obese population

Abstract

Background: It is well established that obesity is a major health risk in diabetes and associated diseases. Epigenetic changes, specially DNA methylation, play an important role in regulation of adipokines. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the DNA methylation status at the promoter region of the leptin gene in obese individuals and its association with metabolic risk factors. Methods: The study included obese (n = 100) and non-obese (n = 75) individuals aged 25–45 years, and measured their physical, biochemical parameters (glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles) and leptin, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), and DNA methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3b) mRNA expressions with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). DNA methylation of the leptin gene at the promoter region was analyzed by methyl-specific qPCR . Results: The study found that the DNA methylation level at the promoter area of the leptin gene was negatively associated with weight in obese subjects. Furthermore, study findings showed that the DNA methylation level was negatively associated with fasting insulin, glucose, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and total cholesterol. There was also a higher expression of DNMT1 and DNMT-3b in obese subjects as compared with non-obese subjects. Conclusion: The leptin epigenetic profile may be associated with obesity and its associated metabolic risk factors.