IBBIOTECH

Genetic obesity test

Please request a personalized kit for the test.

Obtaining the sample at home.

Obesity is a metabolic disorder that prevails in most of the developed countries. It relates to a pathology that even though has a great environmental influence, also contains a genetic component as it has been demonstrated by several studies carried out in the past few years.

Genes have been identified to be implicated in the processes that control appetite, formation of fat tissues, the control of body temperature and the regulation of insulin levels. Mutations of these genes could be blamed for certain kinds of obesity or perhaps promoting the ones that carry them to develop it.

At IB Biotech, we have simplified this study making it available at an affordable price. You can easily request a personalized kit, which includes a cotton bud, so that from the comfort of your home, a saliva sample can be obtained and in a short period of time the results of the test will be delivered to your home address. How to obtain samples from home.

This genetic study includes important mutations of the most relevant genes related to obesity in order to identify the origin of the illness and to make appropriate recommendations to the individual affected by it.

Genes and mutations with a tendency for obesity

The polyformism or mutations that have been analyzed in order to trace the genetic origin of obesity are:

MC4R Gene

Encodes the melanocortin 4 receptor. This receptor can be located in the hypothalamus and is linked to the appetite control, inhibiting the ingestion of food. It has been demonstrated that the mutation can develop into hyperfagia (great appetite), hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, an energetic use much lower than normal and therefore obesity. This is the most common cause of monogenic obesity.

NPY Gene

Encodes the neuropeptide Y, which is the neurotransmitter located in the hypothalamus. This neuropeptide Y plays an important roll in the hypothalamic regulation of energetic balance, stimulating the ingestion of food and increasing the activity of the lipoprotein lipase of the adipose tissue. A polyformism of the NPY gene (1128T-C) that produces a change from leucine amino acid to proline has been discovered. The presence of this polyformism is associated to obesity with a high level of triglycerides developed due to an increase of appetite (hyperfagia), hyperinsulinemia and decrease in energetic consumption.

LEPR Gene

This gene encodes the leptin which is a hormone secreted by the adipocytes it regulates body weight through uniting and activating its receptor in the hypothalamus. Therefore genetic mutations in the receptor gene of the leptin, play a very important roll in the physiopathology of obesity.

Genes ADRB2 and ADRB3

These genes encode the adrenergic receptors beta 2 and beta 3, located mainly in the adipose tissue. Both take part in the regulation of the lipid metabolism as they intervene in the lipolysis and thermogenesis control. It has been demonstrated that lipolysis and fat oxidation is limited in people who carry polyformisms in these genes resulting in a much lower capacity to use their fat deposits as an energy source while exercising. Therefore their presence is associated to a high risk of developing obesity.

PPARG Gene (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma)

PPARG is a nuclear receptor that regulates the differentiation of adipocytes, sensibility to insulin, as well as takes active part in the energetic homeostasis, therefore intervening in several pathologies like obesity and the diabetes mellitus type 2. Presence of allele Ala12 (Pro12Ala polyformism) its associated to low levels of insulin, low of body mass index, playing a protecting roll against insulin resistance and high levels of HDL cholesterol.

UCP2 Gene

Encodes the uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), and it fundamentally appears in the white adipose tissue and the squeletic muscle. UCP2 is a mitochondrial carrier that prevents the formation of ATP and releases energy in the form of heat (Adaptative or facultative thermogenesis), allowing to regulate weight and body temperature. Several studies propose that gene UCP2 be a strong candidate in the regulation of the energetic metabolism and development of obesity. Polyformism -866 G/A in this gene is associated to a higher presence of the protein and also a higher risk to develop obesity in adult life.

Please request a personalized kit for the test.

Obtaining the sample at home.