title: Changes in gene expression in PBMCs profiles of PPARα target genes in obese and non-obese individuals during fasting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically and the World Health Organization estimates that 700 million people will be obese worldwide by 2015. Approximately, 50% of the Brazilian population above 20 years of age is overweight, and 16% is obese.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the expression of PPARα target genes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and free fatty acids (FFA) in obese and non-obese individuals after 24 h of fasting. We first presented evidence that Brazilian people exhibit expression changes in PPARα target genes in PBMCs under fasting conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Q-PCR was utilized to assess the mRNA expression levels of target genes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, the FFA concentrations increased significantly after 24 h of fasting. The basal FFA mean concentration was two-fold higher in the obese group compared with the non-obese group. After fasting, all genes evaluated in this study showed increased expression levels compared with basal expression in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  However, our results reveal no differences in gene expression between the obese and non-obese, more studies are necessary to precisely delineate the associated mechanisms, particularly those that include groups with different degrees of obesity and patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 because the expression of the main genes that are involved in β-oxidation and glucose level maintenance are affected by these factors.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Felicidade
authors.forename: Juliana Cristina
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Marcarini
authors.forename: Clísia Mara
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Carreira
authors.forename: Marla Karine
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Amarante
authors.forename: Lydia A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Afman
authors.forename: Mário Sérgio
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Lúcia Regina
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D047493:PPAR alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D047493:PPAR alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger