Epigenetic Regulation of Obesity-Associated Type 2 Diabetes

Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 28;58(10):1366. doi: 10.3390/medicina58101366.

Abstract

Obesity is becoming more widespread, and epidemics of this condition are now considered present in all developed countries, leading to public health concerns. The dramatic increases in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and related vascular difficulties are causing a public health crisis. Thus, it is imperative that these trends are curbed. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of these diseases is crucial to aiding in their detection or even management. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying the interactions between environment, lifestyle, and genetics is important for developing effective strategies for the management of obesity. The focus is on finding the vital role of epigenetic changes in the etiology of obesity. Genome and epigenome-wide approaches have revealed associations with T2DM. The epigenome indicates that there is a systematic link between genetic variants and environmental factors that put people at risk of obesity. The present review focuses on the epigenetic mechanism linked with obesity-associated T2DM. Although the utilization of epigenetic treatments has been discussed with reference to certain cancers, several challenges remain to be addressed for T2DM.

Keywords: T2DM; bariatric surgery; epigenetics; gut microbiota; inflammation; obesity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / genetics