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The Effect of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery on DNA Methylation Patterns

  • Lipid and Metabolic Effects of Gastrointestinal Surgery (R. Cohen, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Atherosclerosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is considered to be the most effective treatment for obesity. Not only due to the significant weight reduction but also because of the many health benefits associated with it. In the last 5 years, several studies have suggested that epigenetic modifications could be involved in the mechanisms underlying the response to bariatric surgery. In this review, we will compile the different studies (2012–2017) concerning the effect of this surgical procedure on DNA methylation patterns (the most studied epigenetic marker) and its association with metabolic improvement. This is an emerging area, and currently, there are not many studies in the literature. The aim is to show what has been done so far and what the future direction in this emerging area might be.

Recent Findings

Recent findings have shown how metabolic and bariatric surgery modifies the DNA methylation profile of the specific genes associated with the pathophysiology of the disease. The studies were performed in morbidly obese subjects, mainly in women, with the aim of reducing weight and improving the obesity-associated comorbidities. DNA methylation has been measured both in specific tissue and in peripheral blood samples. In general, studies about site-specific DNA methylation have shown a change in the methylation profile after surgery, whereas the studies analyzing global DNA methylation are not so conclusive.

Summary

Summing up, metabolic and bariatric surgery can modify the DNA methylation profile of different genes and contributes to the metabolic health benefits that are often seen after metabolic and bariatric surgery. Although there are still many issues to be resolved, the capacity to revert the DNA methylation profile of specific sites opens a window for searching for target markers to treat obesity-related comorbidities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Clínico Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain

    Sonsoles Morcillo, Manuel Macías-González & Francisco J. Tinahones

  2. CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Málaga, Spain

    Sonsoles Morcillo, Manuel Macías-González & Francisco J. Tinahones

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  1. Sonsoles Morcillo
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Correspondence to Sonsoles Morcillo.

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Sonsoles Morcillo, Manuel Macías-González, and Francisco J. Tinahones declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki Declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Lipid and Metabolic Effects of Gastrointestinal Surgery

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Morcillo, S., Macías-González, M. & Tinahones, F.J. The Effect of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery on DNA Methylation Patterns. Curr Atheroscler Rep 19, 40 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-017-0676-8

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