Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
Volume 38, Issue 4, Pages 1072-1081Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyp202
Keywords
Ethnic groups; South Asians; metabolic diseases; cardiovascular diseases; mitochondria; obesity
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Methods Data from individual studies and review articles known to the authors were examined. A Medline bibliographic database search was also performed. Reference lists were reviewed to identify additional relevant data sources. Key references were examined by both authors. Results We propose, and evaluate, the evidence for a 'mitochondrial efficiency hypothesis' i.e. that ancestral changes in mitochondrial coupling efficiency enhanced the successful adaptation of South Asians to environmental stressors by maximizing the conversion of energy to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) rather than heat. This adaptation may be disadvantageous when South Asians are physically inactive and consume high-caloric diets. There is evidence that common mitochondrial mutations vary geographically. Mutations, including those affecting the function of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs), may influence the balance of energy and heat production. These may influence basal metabolic rate (BMR), energy efficiency, the tendency to gain weight and hence metabolic disease. UCP gene polymorphisms are related to differences in BMR between African-Americans and Europeans. Similar data for South Asians are lacking but the few studies comparing BMR indicate that South Asians have a lower BMR, which is explained by a lower lean body mass, and higher fat mass. Once adjusted for body composition, BMR is similar. A high fat mass, per se, is a strategy for reducing energy use while conserving body size. Indians in the USA had higher oxidative phosphorylation capacity than Northern European Americans. Conclusion The evidence justifies full exploration of this mitochondrial effeciency hypothesis in South Asians, which may also be relevant to other warm-climate adapted populations.
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