̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - metabolic disease

Genetic variant may help explain why Labradors are prone to obesity

cjb250 — Tue, 03 May 2016 15:57:14 +0000

In developed countries, between one and two in three dogs (34-59%) is overweight, a condition associated with reduced lifespan, mobility problems, diabetes, cancer and heart disease, as it is in humans. In fact, the increase in levels of obesity in dogs mirrors that in humans, implicating factors such as reduced exercise and ready access to high calorie food factors. However, despite the fact that dog owners control their pets’ diet and exercise, some breeds of dog are more susceptible to obesity than others, suggesting the influence of genetic factors. Labradors are the most common breed of dog in the UK, USA and many other countries worldwide and the breed is known as being particularly obesity-prone.

In a study published today in the journal Cell Metabolism, an international team led by researchers at the Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, report a study of 310 pet and assistance dog Labradors. Independent veterinary professionals weighed the dogs and assessed their body condition score, and the scientists searched for variants of three candidate obesity-related genes. ̽��ֱ��team also assessed ‘food motivation’ using a questionnaire in which owners reported their dog’s behavior related to food.

̽��ֱ��researchers found that a variant of one gene in particular, known as POMC, was strongly associated with weight, obesity and appetite in Labradors and flat coat retrievers. Around one in four (23%) Labradors is thought to carry at least one copy of the variant. In both breeds, for each copy of the gene carried, the dog was on average 1.9kg heavier, an effect size particularly notable given the extent to which owners, rather than the dogs themselves, control the amount of food and exercise their dogs receive.

“This is a common genetic variant in Labradors and has a significant effect on those dogs that carry it, so it is likely that this helps explain why Labradors are more prone to being overweight in comparison to other breeds,” explains first author Dr Eleanor Raffan from the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge. “However, it’s not a straightforward picture as the variant is even more common among flat coat retrievers, a breed not previously flagged as being prone to obesity.”

̽��ֱ��gene affected is known to be important in regulating how the brain recognises hunger and the feeling of being full after a meal. “People who live with Labradors often say they are obsessed by food, and that would fit with what we know about this genetic change,” says Dr Raffan.

Senior co-author Dr Giles Yeo adds: “Labradors make particularly successful working and pet dogs because they are loyal, intelligent and eager to please, but importantly, they are also relatively easy to train. Food is often used as a reward during training, and carrying this variant may make dogs more motivated to work for a titbit.

“But it’s a double-edged sword – carrying the variant may make them more trainable, but it also makes them susceptible to obesity. This is something owners will need to be aware of so they can actively manage their dog’s weight.”

̽��ֱ��researchers believe that a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the POMC gene, which is also found in humans, might have implications for the health of both Labradors and human.

Professor Stephen O’Rahilly, Co-Director of the Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, says: “Common genetic variants affecting the POMC gene are associated with human body weight and there are even some rare obese people who lack a very similar part of the POMC gene to the one that is missing in the dogs. So further research in these obese Labradors may not only help the wellbeing of companion animals but also have important lessons for human health.”

̽��ֱ��research was funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council and the Dogs Trust.

Reference
Raffan, E et al. A deletion in the canine POMC gene is associated with weight and appetite in obesity prone Labrador retriever dogs. Cell Metabolism; 3 May 2016; DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.04.012

A genetic variation associated with obesity and appetite in Labrador retrievers – the UK and US’s favourite dog breed – has been identified by scientists at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge. ̽��ֱ��finding may explain why Labrador retrievers are more likely to become obese than dogs of other breeds.

People who live with Labradors often say they are obsessed by food, and that would fit with what we know about this genetic change

Eleanor Raffan

Thomas Hawk

Where's My Snacks? (crop)

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For image use please see separate credits above.

Yes

Licence type:

Attribution-Noncommerical

MRC and Wellcome Trust invest £24m in Cambridge obesity institute

gm349 — Wed, 29 May 2013 04:15:42 +0000

̽��ֱ��Medical Research Council (MRC) and Wellcome Trust are to invest £24m into obesity research led by the Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science (IMS). ̽��ֱ��IMS, based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, will investigate the causes and health consequences of obesity and develop new approaches to prevent and treat metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.

̽��ֱ��IMS is a joint venture between the MRC, Wellcome Trust, ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Co-directed by Professors Steve O’Rahilly and Nick Wareham, it provides a unique environment linking basic and applied science in metabolic diseases.

̽��ֱ��Institute houses not only state-of-the-art facilities for laboratory science, clinical and population research, but also purpose-built clinics providing out-patient care for children and adults with metabolic and endocrine disorders.

This close link to patients ensures that advances in basic science can be applied rapidly to improving patient care and disease prevention. ̽��ֱ��IMS is also close to the largest concentration of biotechnology companies in Europe, creating excellent opportunities for industrial collaboration.

Funding from the MRC will establish a new MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (MDU) at the IMS, under the direction of Professor O’Rahilly, as well as new programmes of research at the existing MRC Epidemiology Unit and MRC Human Nutrition Research. ̽��ֱ��Wellcome Trust investment will create an enhanced Clinical Research Facility dedicated to metabolic studies, as well as providing funding for major core laboratory equipment and studies in animal models.

Stephen O’Rahilly, Co-Director of the Wellcome Trust-MRC IMS and Director of the MRC MDU, ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, said: "This joint initiative from the MRC and Wellcome Trust will provide exciting new opportunities to better understand the fundamental causes of disease such as obesity and diabetes and translate that knowledge into improved therapies.”

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, said: “Obesity has become an urgent public health issue as research continues to reveal its detrimental effects. With obesity doubling between 1980 and 2008 – a span of less than 30 years – investing in obesity research has never been more critical, and the ̽��ֱ�� is delighted with the support of the MRC and the Wellcome Trust.”

Professor Sir John Savill, Chief Executive of the MRC, said: “Obesity is one of the biggest challenges facing the future health of the developed world and understanding the causes and consequences of this condition are major research priority. ̽��ֱ��MRC is very happy to be partnering with the Wellcome Trust and ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge in an ambitious joint venture that will unite experts in basic science, population science and experimental medicine to create a world-leading centre for metabolic research.”

Dr Ted Bianco, Acting Director of the Wellcome Trust, said: “With obesity rates soaring across the globe, the need to understand the biological, behavioural and environmental factors that influence metabolic diseases has never been greater. This additional investment from us and the MRC reflects the quality of research that is being undertaken at Cambridge and lays the foundations for taking basic scientific discoveries right through to clinical advances.”

̽��ֱ��£24m joint investment will be broken down as follows:

• £10.8m from the MRC to establish a new university unit: the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge (Directed by Professor Steve O’Rahilly and located at the Wellcome Trust-MRC IMS).
• £10.1m from the Wellcome Trust for basic science infrastructure and new clinical research facilities at the IMS, and to support joint working with the Sanger Institute.
• £2.5m from the MRC for research into biomarkers for diabetes at the MRC Epidemiology Unit, ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge (Directed by Professor Nick Wareham and located at the Wellcome Trust-MRC IMS).
• £1m from the MRC for a collaborative programme to investigate human fat metabolism led by MRC Human Nutrition Research (Directed by Professor Ann Prentice and based at the Elsie Widdowson Laboratory in Cambridge).

Story adapted from Wellcome Trust and MRC press release.

This joint initiative from the MRC and Wellcome Trust will provide exciting new opportunities to better understand the fundamental causes of disease such as obesity and diabetes and translate that knowledge into improved therapies

Professor Stephen O’Rahilly

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.

Yes