Unwanted Weight Gain Shared Among Humans and Labradors - A Commonality Revealed
Swagger, mate! Check out this humor-filled to-the-point rundown on obesity research.
Researchers in the UK just blew our minds with a groundbreaking study published March 6 in Science, showing that both 'unsuspecting' humans and our furry buddies (Labradors) pack on the pounds due to a shared gene variant linked to excessive weight gain. It turns out that, if your dog begs at the dinner table more often, they might not just be being a typical Labrador, they could share some genes with you!
The scientists homed in on gene variants involved in obesity within a group of 241 Labradors by combining body fat measurements, "greediness" levels, and saliva samples. The research team uncovered that having a certain variant of the DENND1B gene (a pathway regulating energy balance in the brain) was a leading cause, resulting in Labradors carrying it packing approximately 8% more body fat.
Crazy, right? Well, it gets even wilder – this very same DENND1B gene is found in humans too, and when examined in connection to human obesity, it wreaks havoc in a similar fashion. Who else thought the Labrador life was just a human downgrade?
So, the next time your Lab gives you puppy dog eyes as you're about to chow down, remember: you're basically BFFs. Now, let's get ourselves (and our four-legged friends) in check and start working on those diets and exercise routines, because genetics may predispose us, but it ain't gonna win this battle without some hard work!
Oh, and by the way, this study also shines a light on the genetic similarities between us and our canine pals. Makes me curious – will cats be next in line for genetic obesity research? Only time will tell...
[1] "DENND1B" - https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/DENND1B[2] "Leptin melanocortin pathway" - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6549377/[3] "Genes linked to canine obesity are also present in humans" - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210307155920.htm[4] "Exploring the genetic underpinnings of obesity in Labrador Retrievers" - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7965167/[5] "Genes Related to Obesity in Dogs" - https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ext/DogGenetics/CatGenetics/GenesRelatedToObesityInDogs.aspx
- The groundbreaking study published on March 6 in Science reveals a shared gene variant, specifically the DENND1B gene, contributes to excessive weight gain in both humans and Labradors, highlighting the true genetic connections between our species.
- As the research sheds light on the genetic likenesses between humans and Labradors, it opens avenues for future studies, questioning if this shared predisposition to obesity could be found in other species, such as cats.
- Surprisingly, the gene variant that causes Labradors to pack on 8% more body fat is also present in humans, hinting at the possibilities of a unified approach to address obesity in both species through targeted technology and science.
- The future of obesity research will undoubtedly involve examining the leptin melanocortin pathway, as it is key to understanding the regulation of energy balance in both humans and animals like Labradors, potentially leading to true innovations in health and wellness for all.