Introduction: DNA methylation constitutes one important epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression in human cells. With regard to obesity, bariatric surgery-induced weight loss has been associated with promoter methylation changes in several genes. Hyperleptinemia is a characteristic feature of obesity. The underlying regulating mechanisms have not yet been completely elucidated. Methods: We investigated the methylation of the promoters of the leptin gene (LEP) and the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) as well as leptin expression in pre- and postbariatric surgery patients using a comparative cross-sectional design. Results: Our results revealed significantly higher LEP promoter methylation patterns in prebariatric surgery patients compared to postoperatively. DNA methylation of the LEPR promoter was significantly higher in the postoperative group. Moreover, we found significantly higher leptin serum levels in patients before the bariatric surgery than afterwards. Discussion: These findings strengthen the suggestion that there is an association between LEP expression and LEP methylation in obesity. We suggest that the epigenetic profile of LEP might be influenced by leptin serum levels in the form of a regulating feedback mechanism.
Obes Facts

中文翻译：

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减肥手术前后LEP和LEPR的启动子甲基化：一项跨领域研究

简介： DNA甲基化构成一种重要的表观遗传机制，可调节人类细胞中的基因表达。关于肥胖症，减肥手术引起的体重减轻与几种基因中启动子甲基化的改变有关。高瘦素血症是肥胖症的特征。潜在的调节机制尚未完全阐明。方法：我们采用比较横断面设计方法研究了瘦素基因（ LEP）和瘦素受体基因（ LEPR）的启动子的甲基化，以及瘦素在术前和术后的患者中的表达。结果：我们的结果显示LEP明显更高b前手术患者的启动子甲基化模式与术后相比。术后组中LEPR启动子的DNA甲基化明显更高。此外，我们发现减肥手术前患者的瘦素血清水平明显高于术后。讨论：这些发现强化了肥胖中LEP表达与LEP甲基化之间存在关联的暗示。我们建议LEP的表观遗传概况可能受瘦素血清水平以调节反馈机制的形式影响。
肥胖事实