Gene activity can be altered by lifestyle

Physical inactivity and acquired obesity can alter gene activity by impairing expression of the genes which help cells produce energy, a study of identical twins has found.

The Finnish study found that lifestyle contributes to insulin resistance, which raises the possibility of developing diabetes and heart disease in obese people more than heredity.

Identical twins were used so that differences observed such as insulin sensitivity and fitness could be accredited to environmental factors, but the research team's lead author Linda Mustelin believes heredity can still influence genes.

"Although we found that the reduced transcript levels of genes encoding mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in obesity is influenced by environmental and acquired factors, it does not exclude the possibility that genetic factors contribute to regulation of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism," she said.

The Helsinki-based research team now intends to conduct a clinical study into whether exercise and other alterations of lifestyle can increase gene expression.

Around seven per cent of the US population has diabetes, with approximately 30 per cent remaining undiagnosed, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey.