Metabolome and fecal microbiota in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for weight: a Big Mac challenge.
Postprandial responses to food are complex, involving both genetic and environmental factors. We studied postprandial responses to a Big Mac meal challenge in monozygotic co-twins highly discordant for body weight. This unique design allows assessment of the contribution of obesity, independent of genetic liability. Comprehensive metabolic profiling using 3 analytical platforms was applied to fasting and postprandial serum samples from 16 healthy monozygotic twin pairs discordant for weight (body mass index difference >3 kg/m(2)). Nine concordant monozygotic pairs were examined as control pairs. Fecal samples were analyzed to assess diversity of the major bacterial groups by using 5 different validated bacterial group specific denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis methods. No differences in fecal bacterial diversity were detected when comparing co-twins discordant for weight (ANOVA, P<0.05). We found that within-pair similarity is a dominant factor in the metabolic postprandial response, independent of acquired obesity. Branched chain amino acids were increased in heavier as compared with leaner co-twins in the fasting state, but their levels converged postprandially (paired t tests, FDR q<0.05). We also found that specific bacterial groups were associated with postprandial changes of specific metabolites. Our findings underline important roles of genetic and early life factors in the regulation of postprandial metabolite levels.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland; Department of Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain;
Isabel
I
Bondia-Pons
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland;
Johanna
J
Maukonen
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland;
Ismo
I
Mattila
Obesity Research Unit, Research Programs Unit, Diabetes and Obesity, Department of Psychiatry.
Aila
A
Rissanen
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland;
Maria
M
Saarela
Department of Public Health, Hjelt Institute, and Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland; and.
Jaakko
J
Kaprio
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland;
Antti
A
Hakkarainen
Department of Radiology, The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) Medical Imaging Center, and.
Jesper
J
Lundbom
Department of Radiology, The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) Medical Imaging Center, and.
Nina
N
Lundbom
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland; Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark.
Tuulia
T
Hyötyläinen
Obesity Research Unit, Research Programs Unit, Diabetes and Obesity, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland;
Kirsi H
KH
Pietiläinen
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland; Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark mtjo@steno.dk.
Matej
M
Orešič
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D055442:Metabolome; D064307:Microbiota / Q000235:genetics*; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
bile acids; metabolomics; obesity