Epigenetic regulation in energy metabolism: Effects of physiological and dietary factors

Abstract

Obesity represents a rapidly growing, major global health problem. A wide range of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms are associated with obesity-related metabolic changes. These mechanisms include (a) changes to epigenetic regulation of neuroendocrine regulators such as adipocytokines and hypothalamic neurons that affect food intake, as well as (b) modulation of epigenetic programs by nutrients and other dietary components, and by the gut microbiome metabolites of these dietary components. Herein, an analysis of such epigenetic regulation is presented, and examples are discussed in relation to energy metabolism, obesity, and related metabolic disorders.