New Delhi, Apr 12: During a recent study, researchers at the Obesity Research Unit of the University of Helsinki found that obesity clearly reduces mitochondrial gene expression in fat tissue or adipose tissue. <br /><br />A total of 49 pairs of identical twins discordant for bodyweight participated in the study conducted at the University of Helsinki: their body composition and metabolism were studied in detail, and biopsies from adipose and muscle tissue were collected.<br /><br /> Multiple techniques for analysing the genome-wide gene expression, the proteome, and the metabolome were used in the study.<br /><br /> According to the findings, the pathways responsible for mitochondrial metabolism in adipose tissue were greatly reduced by obesity. <br /><br />Since mitochondria are key to cellular energy production, their reduced function can maintain obesity. The study provided strong evidence of a connection between the low performance of adipose tissue mitochondria and a proinflammatory state. <br /><br />"A low-powered mitochondrial engine may also generate toxic exhaust fumes, which can cause a pro-inflammatory state in adipose tissue and, consequently, the onset of diseases associated with obesity," says Professor Kirsi Pietilainen from the Obesity Research Unit, University of Helsinki.<br /><br />"What was surprising was that the mitochondrial pathways in muscle had no association with these adverse health effects," Pietilainen adds.<br /><br /> Obesity also affected amino acid metabolism. In the study, changes in mitochondrial function were also seen in amino acid metabolism.<br /><br /> The metabolism of branched-chain amino acids, which are essential to humans, was weakened in the mitochondria of both adipose tissue and muscle tissue.
