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Biomedical subjects

Claude Bouchard

Publications and source records attributed to Claude Bouchard.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Skeletal muscle characteristics predict body fat gain in response to overfeeding in never-obese young men.

The associations between skeletal muscle morphological and metabolic properties and the changes in body composition and metabolic rates in response to long-term overfeeding were investigated in 24 healthy young male identical twins (12 pairs). The proportions of muscle fiber types (type I, type IIA, and type IIB) and the activities of creatine kinase (CK), oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were determined from biopsies of the vastus lateralis before and after the overfeeding protocol. Body weight, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), percent body fat (%FAT), resting metabolic rate (RMR), and thermic effect of a standardized meal (TEM) were also measured before and after 100 days of overfeeding. Type I muscle fiber proportions correlated inversely with the changes of FM and %FAT (r = -0.43, P =.035; r = -0.49, P =.01), and type IIA positively with the same overfeeding-induced changes (r = 0.43, P =.035; r = 0.47, P =.021). Baseline CK and PFK activities correlated negatively with the changes of RMR (r = -0.49, P =.017; r = -0.53, P =.01). OGDH activity at baseline correlated negatively with the changes of FM (r = -0.47, P = 0.02) but the ratio of PFK/OGDH correlated positively with the change of FM (r = 0.46, P =.02). We conclude that overfeeding induced a lower gain of FM in individuals with higher proportions of type I fiber, lower proportions of type IIA fiber, and higher OGDH activities at baseline. CK and PFK activities at baseline were associated with an attenuated increase in RMR when challenged by overfeeding. The significant correlations range from 0.43 to 0.53, and account for 18% to 28% of the variance in the response to overfeeding. The results suggest that an elevated skeletal muscle oxidative capacity plays a protective role in the response to long-term positive energy balance.

Adipose Tissue↗

Polymorphisms in exon 3 of the proopiomelanocortin gene in relation to serum leptin, salivary cortisol, and obesity in Swedish men.

The objective of the current study was to examine the potential impact of a cryptic trinucleotide repeat polymorphism in exon 3 of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) on serum leptin levels and salivary cortisol, as well as obesity and estimates of insulin, glucose, and lipid metabolism in 284 unrelated Swedish men born in 1944. Moreover, we examined if a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (C-->T) in exon 3 was associated with these characteristics. The amplification of the microsatellite locus yielded a 155-bp fragment and a fragment with one additional copy of the 9-bp repeat unit GGCAGCAGC (164 bp). The allelic frequencies were 0.96 and 0.04, respectively. Tests for differences in phenotype showed that subjects with the longer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) repeat product (n = 21) had significantly higher serum leptin concentrations (P =.024) compared with subjects with the shorter PCR product (n = 230). Salivary cortisol levels, as well as obesity and its related metabolic perturbations, were the same across the POMC genotypes. In conclusion, a microsatellite polymorphism in exon 3 of POMC is associated with elevated serum leptin levels. This association might reflect variations in melanocortin expression and/or activity, because exon 3 contains, among others, the coding sequences for melanocortins.

Alleles↗

Menopause, estrogen, and training effects on exercise hemodynamics: the HERITAGE study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influences of menopause, hormone replacement, and endurance exercise training on cardiovascular hemodynamics and oxygen uptake parameters during exercise in women. METHODS: Subjects were 338 premenopausal women, 29 postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement, and 28 postmenopausal women not taking hormone replacement, all enrolled in the HERITAGE Family Study. Hemodynamic and oxygen uptake data were gathered on a cycle ergometer at 50 watts (W), 60% peak oxygen uptake, and at peak exercise, both before and after a 20-wk regimen of endurance exercise training on a cycle ergometer. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) during peak exercise was found to be an average of 14 mm Hg less in postmenopausal women receiving hormones than in those not receiving hormones. Furthermore, menopause was associated with a 26.2 mm Hg higher SBP at 50 W power output, which remained physiologically significant after adjustment for age. At 50 W, postmenopausal women not taking hormones showed a 13.8 mm Hg greater training-induced reduction in SBP than those taking hormones. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that hormone replacement may be associated with a vasodilatory reserve at high exercise intensities and that endurance exercise training elicits favorable hemodynamic and oxygen uptake adaptations during exercise that are, in most instances, independent of menstrual status or hormone replacement.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Heritability of HR and BP response to exercise training in the HERITAGE Family Study.

PURPOSE: The heritability of the response to exercise training in resting blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) was assessed in 482 Caucasian individuals comprising 98 families participating in the HERITAGE Family Study. METHODS: All individuals were sedentary at the baseline visit (time 1 measurement). After completing a 20-wk exercise-training program, subjects were measured again (time 2). A familial correlation model was used to assess the heritability (genetic plus familial environmental) of the response in resting systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and HR, computed as the difference between the two measurement times. This response was adjusted for the effects of baseline levels and age within sex and generation groups. Analyses were conducted separately in a subsample of families in which at least one family member was considered to have elevated BP (95th percentile; SBP > or = 135 or DBP > or = 80). RESULTS: Several novel findings emerged from this study. First, the SBP and HR response may be influenced by genetic factors. The maximal heritabilities were 20% (SBP) and 36% (HR) in the elevated BP, 18% and 24% in the complete, and not significant in the normotensive samples. For DBP, there were cohort effects (significant sibling and spouse but not parent-offspring correlations) in the complete and normotensive samples that may be due to generation-specific environmental influences. CONCLUSION: The trainability of SBP and HR in families with elevated BP appears to be determined in part by genetic factors, whereas DBP trainability may be more a function of environmental effects.

Adolescent↗

Familial aggregation of physical activity levels in the Québec Family Study.

PURPOSE: Familial aggregation of physical activity phenotypes was investigated in 696 subjects from 200 families of the Quebec Family Study. The mean age of offspring and parents was 27 and 53 yr, respectively. METHODS: The levels of physical activity were estimated using a 3-d diary and a questionnaire dealing with physical activity during the past year. RESULTS: An ANOVA performed on the age and sex adjusted physical activity phenotypes revealed that there were 1.40-1.52 times more variation in physical activity levels between families than within families (0.001 < P < 0.0001), suggesting that physical activity levels aggregate in families. Maximal heritabilities (SEGPATH), adjusted for the degree of spouse resemblance, reached 25%, 16%, 19%, and 17% for the degree of inactivity, time spent in moderate to strenuous physical activities, total level of daily activity, and weekly time spent in the main activity during the previous year, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that physical activity level is characterized by a significant degree of familial resemblance, and that inactivity has a slightly higher heritability level than moderate to strenuous physical activity or total physical activity phenotypes. The pattern of familial correlations suggests that shared familial environmental factors along with genetic factors are also important in accounting for the familial resemblance in physical activity level.

Adolescent↗

The human gene map for performance and health-related fitness phenotypes: the 2001 update.

This review presents the 2001 update of the human gene map for physical performance and health-related phenotypes. It is based on scientific papers published by the end of 2001. Association studies with candidate genes, genome-wide scans with polymorphic markers, and single gene defects causing exercise intolerance to variable degrees are included. The genes and markers with evidence of association or linkage with a performance or fitness phenotype in sedentary or active people, in adaptation to acute exercise or for training-induced changes are positioned on the genetic map of all autosomes and the X chromosome. Negative studies are reviewed, but a gene or locus must be supported by at least one positive study before being inserted on the map. By the end of 2000, there were 29 loci depicted on the map. The 2001 map includes 71 loci on the autosomes and two on the X chromosome. Among these genes or markers, 24 are from prior publications on exercise intolerance and four relate to other pathologies. Finally, 13 sequence variants in mitochondrial DNA have been shown to influence relevant fitness and performance phenotypes.

Case-Control Studies↗

Association between a variant at the GABA(A)alpha6 receptor subunit gene, abdominal obesity, and cortisol secretion.

In the present study, we examined the potential impact of a T-to-C substitution at nucleotide 1519 of the GABA(A)alpha6 receptor subunit gene (GABRA6) on obesity and obesity-related phenotypes as well as circulating hormones, including salivary cortisol, in 284 unrelated Swedish men born in 1944. The subjects were genotyped by using PCR amplification followed by digestion with the restriction enzyme AlwNI. The frequency of allele T was 0.54 and that of allele C was 0.46. Carriers for the T allele (n = 211) had higher waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.094) and abdominal sagittal diameter (p = 0.084) compared to homozygotes for the C allele (n = 56). The homozygotes for the T allele had, in comparison to heterozygotes, significantly (p = 0.004-0.024) higher mean cortisol levels at 11:45 am; at 30, 45, and 60 min after a standardized lunch; and finally at 5:00 pm. In addition, T/T subjects had significantly (p = 0.031) higher diurnal cortisol secretion compared to T/C subjects. Leptin, insulin, and glucose were not different across the genotype groups. In conclusion, these findings suggest a role of the point substitution (T-to-C) at nucleotide 1519 of GABRA6 in the predisposition to hypercortisolism and perhaps abdominal obesity. The pathophysiology may involve various environmental factors, particularly stress, that destabilize the GABA-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal systems in those with genetic vulnerability.

Abdomen↗

Increased abdominal obesity in subjects with a mutation in the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene promoter.

In the present study, we examined the potential impact of the 5-HT(2A) -1438G/A promoter polymorphism on obesity and estimates of insulin, glucose, and lipid metabolism as well as circulating hormones, including salivary cortisol, in 284 unrelated Swedish men born in 1944. The subjects were genotyped by using PCR amplification of the promoter region of the gene for 5-HT(2A) followed by digestion with the restriction enzyme MspI. The frequencies were 0.39 for allele -1438A and 0.61 for allele -1438G. Homozygotes for the -1438G allele had, in comparison with -1438A/A subjects, higher body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and abdominal sagittal diameter. Moreover, cortisol escape from 0.25 mg dexamethasone suppression was found in subjects with the -1438A/G genotype. Serum leptin, fasting insulin and glucose, as well as serum lipids were not different across the -1438G/A genotype groups. From these results, we suggest the possibility that an abnormal production rate of the 5-HT(2A) gene product might lead to the development of abdominal obesity. The pathophysiology could involve stress factors that destabilize the serotonin-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal systems in those with genetic vulnerability in the serotonin receptor gene.

Abdomen↗

Physical activity, aerobic fitness, and seven-year changes in adiposity in the Canadian population.

Associations among baseline physical activity, aerobic fitness, changes in physical activity, and 7-y changes in adiposity were determined. The sample consisted of 602 males and 644 females, aged 20-69 y, from the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey and the 1988 Campbell's Survey. Questionnaire-derived measures of physical activity level consisted of activity energy expenditure (AEE) and time spent on physical activity. Participants were grouped into physical activity level categories by AEE and physical activity intensity (based on MET values), and physical activity level changes were determined from movement between tertiles of AEE from baseline to follow-up. Aerobic fitness levels at baseline were determined using the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test. Changes in body mass, the sum of five skinfolds (SF5), and waist circumference (WC) were used as indicators of adiposity change. ANCOVA and multiple regression analyses indicated that neither baseline physical activity levels, intensity, physical activity change categories, nor aerobic fitness levels were significant predictors of changes in adiposity. In conclusion, physical activity was not predictive of 7-y changes in indicators of adiposity in this sample.

Adipose Tissue↗

Major gene effects on exercise ventilatory threshold: the HERITAGE Family Study.

This study investigates whether there are major gene effects on oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold (VO(2VT)) and the VO(2VT) maximal oxygen uptake (VT%VO(2 max)), at baseline and in response to 20 wk of exercise training by using data on 336 whites and 160 blacks. Segregation analysis was performed on the residuals of VO(2VT) and VT%VO(2 max). In whites, there was strong evidence of a major gene, with 3 and 2% of the sample in the upper distribution, that accounted for 52 and 43% of the variance in baseline VO(2VT) and VT%VO(2 max), respectively. There were no genotype-specific covariate effects (sex, age, weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass). The segregation results were inconclusive for the training response in whites, and for the baseline and training response in blacks, probably due to insufficient power because of reduced sample sizes or smaller gene effect or both. The strength of the genetic evidence for VO(2VT) and VT%VO(2 max) suggests that these traits should be further investigated for potential relations with specific candidate genes, if they can be identified, and explored through a genome-wide scan.

Aging↗

Uncoupling protein 3 gene is associated with body composition changes with training in HERITAGE study.

The uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is a mitochondrial membrane transporter mainly expressed in skeletal muscle that we have shown to be associated with obesity. We have analyzed UCP3 polymorphisms, Val102Ile, Tyr210Tyr, and a new microsatellite GAIVS6 located in the sixth intron, among 276 black and 503 white subjects from the HERITAGE Family Study. Linkage and association studies were undertaken with body composition variables measured in a sedentary state (baseline) and after 20 wk of endurance training (changes). Allele and genotype frequencies were found to be significantly different between whites and blacks. Suggestive linkages (0.009 < or = P < or = 0.033) with Tyr210Tyr were found in blacks and whites for baseline body mass index, fat mass, or leptin level and with GAIVS6 in whites for changes in fat mass and percent body fat. Associations were also found in whites between GAIVS6 and changes in the sum of eight skinfold thicknesses (P = 0.0006), with a borderline result for body mass index (P = 0.06). We concluded that UCP3 could be involved in body composition changes after regular exercise.

Adult↗

Genomewide linkage scan of resting blood pressure: HERITAGE Family Study. Health, Risk Factors, Exercise Training, and Genetics.

The purpose of this study was to search for genomic regions influencing resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (BP) in sedentary families (baseline), and for resting BP responses (changes) resulting from a 20-week exercise training intervention (post-training-baseline) in the Health, Risk Factors, Exercise Training, and Genetics (HERITAGE) Family Study. A genome-wide scan was conducted on 317 black individuals from 114 families and 519 white individuals from 99 families using a multipoint variance-components linkage model and a panel of 509 markers. Promising results were primarily, but not exclusively, found in the black families. Linkage evidence (P<0.0023) with baseline BP replicated other studies within a 1-logarithm of odds (LOD) interval on 2p14, 3p26.3, and 12q21.33, and provided new evidence on 3q28, 11q21, and 19p12. Results for several known hypertension genes were less compelling. For response BP, results were not very strong, although markers on 13q11 were mildly suggestive (P<0.01). In conclusion, these HERITAGE data, in conjunction with results from previous genomewide scans, provide a basis for planning future investigations. The major areas warranting further study involve fine mapping to narrow down 3 regions on 2q, 3p, and 12q that may contain "novel" hypertension genes, additional typing of some biological candidate genes to determine whether they are the sources of these and other signals, multilocus investigations to understand how and to what extent some of these candidates may interact, and multivariate studies to characterize any pleiotropy.

Adult↗

A polymorphism in the human agouti-related protein is associated with late-onset obesity.

The mouse agouti-related protein (AGRP) is a powerful appetite effector that results in hyperphagia and the development of obesity when administered intracerebroventricularly or when overexpressed in transgenic mice. Animal studies have also shown that exogenous administration of AGRP predisposes toward hedonic intake of high fat and high sucrose diets. The human ortholog (hAGRP) maps on chromosome 16q22 and has similar physiological properties, as tested in animal models. A polymorphism was identified in the third exon of hAGRP, c.199G-->A, that resulted in a nonconservative amino acid substitution, Ala(67)Thr. Computational analysis of the protein showed significant differences in the coils of the two polymorphic isoforms of the protein. Human studies showed no genotype effects in individuals with a mean age of 25 yr. However, the G/G genotype was significantly associated with fatness and abdominal adiposity in the parental population with a mean age of 53 yr. The c.199G-->A polymorphism in hAGRP could, therefore, play a role in the development of human obesity in an age-dependent fashion.

Adenine↗

Melanocortin 4 receptor sequence variations are seldom a cause of human obesity: the Swedish Obese Subjects, the HERITAGE Family Study, and a Memphis cohort.

The prevalence of mutations within and in the flanking regions of the gene encoding the melanocortin 4 receptor was investigated in severely obese and normal-weight subjects from the Swedish Obese Subjects study, the Health, Risk Factors, Exercise Training, and Genetics (HERITAGE) Family study, and a Memphis cohort. A total of 433 white and 95 black subjects (94% females) were screened for mutations by direct sequencing. Three previously described missense variants and nine novel (three missense, six silent) variants were detected. None of them showed significant association with obesity or related phenotypes. In addition, two novel deletions were found in two heterozygous obese women: a -65_-64delTG mutation within the 5' noncoding region and a 171delC frameshift mutation predicted to result in a truncated nonfunctional receptor. No pathogenic mutations were found among obese blacks or nonobese controls. Furthermore, none of the null mutations found in other populations was present in this sample. In conclusion, our results do not support the prevailing notion that sequence variation in the melanocortin 4 receptor gene is a frequent cause of human obesity.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

A genome-wide linkage scan for steroids and SHBG levels in black and white families: the HERITAGE Family Study.

To identify loci-harboring genes affecting steroid hormone and SHBG plasma levels, a genomic-wide scan was performed in the HERITAGE Family Study at baseline. The following steroid hormones were assayed: androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol glucuronide, androsterone glucuronide, cortisol, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (OH-PROG), progesterone (PROG), pregnenolone ester, and testosterone. A total of 509 markers on the 22 autosomes were genotyped, and a maximum of 357 pairs of siblings from white families and 103 from black families were available for the study. Significant linkages with LOD scores over 3.6 (P < 2.2 x 10(-5)) for SHBG were observed in blacks on 1q44 (D1S321), 5p13.3 (D5S1986), 10q24.1 (D10S1239), and 12q12 (D12S1653) in both singlepoint and multipoint analyses. Promising evidence of linkage (1.75 < LOD < 3.6; 2.2 x 10(-5) < P < 0.0023) for SHBG was observed on 1q44 in singlepoint analysis in whites. In addition, several other loci in blacks exhibited promising evidence of linkage, suggesting that many genes can potentially regulate SHBG levels. In the case of C21 steroids, promising linkages were found on 1q43 (D1S517) for PROG, 2p25.1 (D2S1400) for pregnenolone ester, and 18q21.32 (D18S38) for OH-PROG in whites and on 3q25.33 (D3S1763) for OH-PROG in blacks, both singlepoint and multipoint analyses (P < 0.0023). The strongest signals for C19 steroids were found on 22q12.3 for testosterone in whites (P = 0.0024 in multipoint) and on 8q22.1 for dihydrotestosterone in blacks. In blacks, the strongest evidence of linkage for estradiol (C18 steroid) was provided by marker D1S1588 on 1p21.3 and in whites by markers D2S2374 and D2S2347 on 2p21, and D6S465 on 6p12.3. Several genes encoding enzymes of the steroid biosynthesis pathways but also other potential candidate genes were located in the vicinity of the genomic regions showing evidence of linkage in this genomic scan.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

A genomewide linkage scan for abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat in black and white families: The HERITAGE Family Study.

Abdominal visceral fat (AVF), abdominal subcutaneous fat (ASF), and abdominal total fat (ATF) were measured using a computed tomography scan, both before (baseline) and after (post) a 20-week endurance exercise training protocol in the HERITAGE Family Study. Each of the baseline and response (post minus baseline) measures was adjusted for several covariates, including total fat mass, and responses to training were further adjusted for baseline levels. Multipoint variance components linkage analysis using a genomewide scan of 344 markers was conducted separately by race using race-specific allele frequencies. Several promising results (P < 0.0023) were obtained. For baseline AVF, the best evidence was on 2q22.1 and 2q33.2-q36.3 (including the IRS1 locus) in whites, with suggestive findings on 7q22.2-q31.3 (including the LEP locus) in blacks. Although several regions were indicated for baseline ASF, only 4q31.22-q32.2 and 11p15.4-p11.2 replicated the results of another study. For responses to training, promising results were limited to ASF and ATF primarily on 7q36.2 (including NOS3) in blacks, with suggestive regions (P < 0.01) on 1q21.2-q24.1 (S100A, ATP1A2, and ATP1B1), 10q25.2 (ADRA2A), and 11p15.5 (IGF2). In summary, the 4q and 11p regions have now been implicated in two independent studies for ASF; further research is warranted to identify the genes and mutations in these regions that are responsible for fat accumulation in the abdominal depot. Additional work in an independent sample is needed to verify the linkages for baseline AVF as well as the response measures.

Abdomen↗

The alpha 2-adrenergic receptor gene and body fat content and distribution: the HERITAGE Family Study.

BACKGROUND: Among adrenergic receptor subtypes that regulate lipid mobilization, the alpha2-adrenergic receptor is involved in the inhibition of fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue. A C-1291G polymorphism is located in the alpha2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRA2A) but no association with body fat accumulation has been reported yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FAT), percentage body fat (%FAT), trunk-to-extremity skinfold ratio (TER), sum of eight skinfolds (SF8), and abdominal subcutaneous (ASF), visceral (AVF), and total (ATF) fat areas assessed by CT scan have been measured in adult sedentary white (n = 503) and black (n = 276) subjects participating in the HERITAGE Family Study. Association between the C-1291G polymorphism and each phenotype was tested separately in men and women of each race using ANCOVA with the effects of age as covariate in addition to the effects of BMI for TER and of FAT for AVF, ASF, and ATF. RESULTS: The allele frequencies of the ADRA2A C-1291G polymorphism differed between races. No association was observed in white subjects, except for a moderate effect of the polymorphism accounting for less than 1% of the variance in AVF and ATF in women. In black subjects, however, the G-1291 allele was found to be associated with an increase of TER in men (3.8% of variance accounted for by the polymorphism), while in black women it was associated with a decrease in TER (2.9%) and in AVF (2.5%). CONCLUSION: These results suggest a role for the ADRA2A gene in determining the propensity to store fat in the abdominal area, independently of total body fatness.

Adult↗

Cross-trait familial resemblance for resting blood pressure and body composition and fat distribution: The HERITAGE family study.

Cross-trait familial resemblance between resting blood pressure (BP) and body composition and fat distribution was examined in 98 Caucasian families participating in the HERITAGE Family Study by using a multivariate familial correlation model assessing both intraindividual and interindividual cross-trait correlations. The 520 family members were sedentary at baseline examination, and both resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP were cross-analyzed with each of the following 10 indications of body composition and fat distribution: percent body fat (%BF), abdominal visceral fat (AVF), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), sum of eight skinfolds (SF), total abdominal fat (TAF), ratio of trunk-to-extremity skinfolds (TER), waist circumference (WAIST), ratio of waist-to-hip circumferences (WHR). Five of the variables were also corrected for fat mass (AVFf, TAFf, TERf, WAISTf, WHRf) to index these measures independent of total degree of adiposity. In general, the results suggested strictly intraindividual cross-trait resemblance, with occasional spouse cross-trait resemblance, but few or no sibling or parent-offspring cross-trait correlations. This pattern is largely consistent with nongenetic specific environmental determinants for the BP-body composition and fat distribution covariation, with possibly some common environmental influence between spouses and negligible genetic effects. The only findings suggesting any familial cross-trait resemblance were significant sibling correlations for DBP-FFM and DBP-WHR, although the parent-offspring correlation was not significant. These findings suggest that the observed BP-body composition and fat distribution cross-trait correlations in these sedentary families are probably not due to multifactorial effects such as polygenic and/or common familial environmental effects. Whether or not other factors such as nonadditive effects are involved warrants further investigation using other methods. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:32-41, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Journal Article↗