Researchers have discovered molecular markers in cheek cells that could predict obesity, potentially allowing for early interventions and a shift towards preventative healthcare measures.
The proof-of-concept study with a set of 22 twins found an epigenetic signature in buccal or cheek cells appearing only for the twins who were obese compared to their thinner siblings. With more research, the findings could lead to a simple cheek swab test for an obesity biomarker and enable earlier prevention methods for a condition that affects 50% of U.S. adults, the researchers said.
The signature’s systemic nature also suggests that something may have occurred early in one twin’s life that triggered obesity susceptibility, Skinner added. It’s also possible that it was inherited by one twin and not the other. The research team analyzed cells from cheek swabs provided by the twins. In the cells of the twin siblings who were obese, they found similar epigenetic changes to DNA methylation regions, areas where molecular groups made of methane attach to DNA, regulating gene expression or turning genes on or off.To establish a reliable biomarker test for obesity, the study would need to be conducted on a larger scale.