The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on obesity through epigenetic modifications

Abstract

Background and purpose: In recent years it has been demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have anti-inflammatory and as regulators of lipid metabolism. However, the epigenomic mechanisms involved in these processes are not known in depth. The aim of this review was to describe the scientific evidence supports that regular consumption of PUFA may reduce obesity and overweight by altering epigenetic marks.

Material and methods: A search of recent publications was carried out in human clinical trials, as well as animal model and in vitro experiments.

Results: Exist a possible therapeutic effect of PUFAs on the prevention and development of obesity due to their ability to reversively modify the methylation of the promoters of genes associated with lipid metabolism and to modulate the activity of certain microRNAs.

Conclusions: A better knowledge and understanding of the PUFAs role in epigenetic regulation of obesity is possible with the current published results. The PUFAs may modulate the promotor epigenetic marks in several adipogenic genes and regulate the expression of several miRNAs.

Keywords: Epigenetics; Epigenética; MicroARN; MicroRNAs; Obesidad; Obesity; PUFA; Ácidos grasos poliinsaturados.