E041 – Epigenomics in Endocrinology and Nutrition

Objectives

The Epigenomics in Endocrinology and Nutrition group is a multidisciplinary group made up of biologists, endocrinologists and nutritionists, and research support technicians. The group carries out translational research focusing on the identification and functional characterization of epigenetic marks involved in the susceptibility, pathogenesis and treatment of obesity and diseases related to excess weight, such as diabetes, insulin resistance, disease cardiovascular and cancer. The fulfillment of this objective is achieved through the application of more advanced epigenetic techniques in the analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from an epigenomic and transcriptomic approach in animal models, cell lines and clinical studies in humans. The investigation of epigenomic regulation in the field of Endocrinology and Nutrition is a new and young area that can provide us with relevant knowledge for the implementation of personalized and precision medicine in the management of metabolic diseases.

Lines of research

• Epigenetic regulation as the link between obesity and cancer.
• Role of epigenetics in susceptibility to obesity and response to anti-obesity treatments.
• Role of epigenetics in energy homeostasis, appetite signals, and regulation of body weight.
• Identification of epigenetic biomarkers of susceptibility to obesity and personalised therapy.
• Evaluation of the potential of different foods, bioactive compounds and eating patterns such as the Atlantic Diet to modulate epigenetic regulation in the prevention and treatment of endocrine diseases, especially obesity.

• NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet. 2024 Mar 16;403(10431):1027-1050. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02750-2
• Lorenzo PM, Izquierdo AG, Rodriguez-Carnero G, Fernández-Pombo A, Iglesias A, Carreira MC, Tejera C, Bellido D, Martinez-Olmos MA, Leis R, Casanueva FF, Crujeiras AB. Epigenetic Effects of Healthy Foods and Lifestyle Habits from the Southern European Atlantic Diet Pattern: A Narrative Review. Adv Nutr. 2022 Oct 2;13(5):1725-1747. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmac038
• NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Diminishing benefits of urban living for children and adolescents’ growth and development. Nature. 2023 Mar;615(7954):874-883. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-05772-8
• Lorenzo PM, Sajoux I, Izquierdo AG, Gomez-Arbelaez D, Zulet MA, Abete I, Castro AI, Baltar J, Portillo MP, Tinahones FJ, Martinez JA, Casanueva FF, Crujeiras AB. Immunomodulatory effect of a very-low-calorie ketogenic diet compared with bariatric surgery and a low-calorie diet in patients with excessive body weight. Clin Nutr. 2022 Jul;41(7):1566-1577. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.05.007
• Izquierdo AG, Boughanem H, Diaz-Lagares A, Arranz-Salas I, Esteller M, Tinahones FJ, Casanueva FF, Macias-Gonzalez M, Crujeiras AB. DNA methylome in visceral adipose tissue can discriminate patients with and without colorectal cancer. Epigenetics. 2022 Jun;17(6):665-676. doi: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1950991
• Crujeiras AB, Izquierdo AG, Primo D, Milagro FI, Sajoux I, Jácome A, Fernandez-Quintela A, Portillo MP, Martínez JA, Martinez-Olmos MA, de Luis D, Casanueva FF. Epigenetic landscape in blood leukocytes following ketosis and weight loss induced by a very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) in patients with obesity. Clin Nutr. 2021 Jun;40(6):3959-3972. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.05.010
• Lorenzo PM, Izquierdo AG, Diaz-Lagares A, Carreira MC, Macias-Gonzalez M, Sandoval J, Cueva J, Lopez-Lopez R, Casanueva FF, Crujeiras AB. ZNF577 Methylation Levels in Leukocytes From Women With Breast Cancer Is Modulated by Adiposity, Menopausal State, and the Mediterranean Diet. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Apr 23;11:245. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00245
• Izquierdo AG, Carreira MC, Amil M, Mosteiro CS, Garcia-Caballero T, Fernandez-Quintela A, Portillo MP, Casanueva FF, Crujeiras AB. An energy restriction-based weight loss intervention is able to reverse the effects of obesity on the expression of liver tumor-promoting genes. FASEB J. 2020 Feb;34(2):2312-2325. doi: 10.1096/fj.201901147RR
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4392-0301