Mitochondrial Health Markers and Obesity-Related Health in Human Population Studies: A Narrative Review of Recent Literature

Overview

Journal Curr Obes Rep

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2024 Sep 17

PMID 39287712

Authors

Pei Wen Tung

Vidhu V Thaker

Dympna Gallagher

Allison Kupsco

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose Of Review: This narrative review summarizes current literature on the relationship of mitochondrial biomarkers with obesity-related characteristics, including body mass index and body composition.

Recent Findings: Mitochondria, as cellular powerhouses, play a pivotal role in energy production and the regulation of metabolic process. Altered mitochondrial functions contribute to obesity, yet evidence of the intricate relationship between mitochondrial dynamics and obesity-related outcomes in human population studies is scarce and warrants further attention. We discuss emerging evidence linking obesity and related health outcomes to impaired oxidative phosphorylation pathways, oxidative stress and mtDNA variants, copy number and methylation, all hallmark of suboptimal mitochondrial function. We also explore the influence of dietary interventions and metabolic and bariatric surgery procedures on restoring mitochondrial attributes of individuals with obesity. Finally, we report on the potential knowledge gaps in the mitochondrial dynamics for human health for future study.

Citing Articles

From Bench to Bedside: Translating Cellular Rejuvenation Therapies into Clinical Applications.

Saliev T, Singh P Cells. 2025; 13(24.

PMID: 39768144 PMC: 11674796. DOI: 10.3390/cells13242052.

References

Bluher M . Obesity: global epidemiology and pathogenesis. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2019; 15(5):288-298. DOI: 10.1038/s41574-019-0176-8. View

Flegal K, Kruszon-Moran D, Carroll M, Fryar C, Ogden C . Trends in Obesity Among Adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA. 2016; 315(21):2284-91. PMC: 11197437. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2016.6458. View

Ogden C, Carroll M, Kit B, Flegal K . Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. JAMA. 2014; 311(8):806-14. PMC: 4770258. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2014.732. View

Hales C, Fryar C, Carroll M, Freedman D, Ogden C . Trends in Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in US Youth and Adults by Sex and Age, 2007-2008 to 2015-2016. JAMA. 2018; 319(16):1723-1725. PMC: 5876828. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.3060. View

Flegal K, Williamson D, Pamuk E, Rosenberg H . Estimating deaths attributable to obesity in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2004; 94(9):1486-9. PMC: 1448478. DOI: 10.2105/ajph.94.9.1486. View

Restrepo B . Obesity Prevalence Among U.S. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Prev Med. 2022; 63(1):102-106. PMC: 8977388. DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.01.012. View

Spiegelman B, Flier J . Obesity and the regulation of energy balance. Cell. 2001; 104(4):531-43. DOI: 10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00240-9. View

de Ferranti S, Mozaffarian D . The perfect storm: obesity, adipocyte dysfunction, and metabolic consequences. Clin Chem. 2008; 54(6):945-55. DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2007.100156. View

Brand M, Orr A, Perevoshchikova I, Quinlan C . The role of mitochondrial function and cellular bioenergetics in ageing and disease. Br J Dermatol. 2013; 169 Suppl 2:1-8. PMC: 4321783. DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12208. View

10.

Bornstein R, Gonzalez B, Johnson S . Mitochondrial pathways in human health and aging. Mitochondrion. 2020; 54:72-84. PMC: 7508824. DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2020.07.007. View

11.

Heinonen S, Buzkova J, Muniandy M, Kaksonen R, Ollikainen M, Ismail K . Impaired Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Adipose Tissue in Acquired Obesity. Diabetes. 2015; 64(9):3135-45. DOI: 10.2337/db14-1937. View

12.

Lindinger A, Peterli R, Peters T, Kern B, von Flue M, Calame M . Mitochondrial DNA content in human omental adipose tissue. Obes Surg. 2009; 20(1):84-92. DOI: 10.1007/s11695-009-9987-3. View

13.

Gallagher D, Heymsfield S, Heo M, Jebb S, Murgatroyd P, Sakamoto Y . Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000; 72(3):694-701. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/72.3.694. View

14.

Lemos T, Gallagher D . Current body composition measurement techniques. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2017; 24(5):310-314. PMC: 5771660. DOI: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000360. View

15.

Cypess A . Reassessing Human Adipose Tissue. N Engl J Med. 2022; 386(8):768-779. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra2032804. View

16.

Gallagher D, Kuznia P, Heshka S, Albu J, Heymsfield S, Goodpaster B . Adipose tissue in muscle: a novel depot similar in size to visceral adipose tissue. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 81(4):903-10. PMC: 1482784. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/81.4.903. View

17.

Yim J, Heshka S, Albu J, Heymsfield S, Gallagher D . Femoral-gluteal subcutaneous and intermuscular adipose tissues have independent and opposing relationships with CVD risk. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2007; 104(3):700-7. PMC: 2745606. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01035.2007. View

18.

Gallagher D, Kelley D, Yim J, Spence N, Albu J, Boxt L . Adipose tissue distribution is different in type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009; 89(3):807-14. PMC: 2714397. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26955. View

19.

Zwick R, Guerrero-Juarez C, Horsley V, Plikus M . Anatomical, Physiological, and Functional Diversity of Adipose Tissue. Cell Metab. 2018; 27(1):68-83. PMC: 6050204. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2017.12.002. View

20.

Gallagher D, Heshka S, Kelley D, Thornton J, Boxt L, Pi-Sunyer F . Changes in adipose tissue depots and metabolic markers following a 1-year diet and exercise intervention in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2014; 37(12):3325-32. PMC: 4237982. DOI: 10.2337/dc14-1585. View