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In this paper, the nutrigenomics approach is discussed as a research tool to study the physiological effects of nutrition and consequently how nutrition affects health and disease (endpoints). Nutrigenomics is the study of the effects of foods and food constituents on gene expression; the analyses include analysis of mRNA, proteins and metabolites. Nutrigenomics may be useful in dealing with the challenges that nutrition research is facing; by integrating the description of numerous active genes and metabolic pathways stronger evidence and new biomarkers for subtle nutritional effects may be obtained. Also, a new definition of disease and health may be needed. The use of tests challenging homoeostasis is being proposed to help define health. Challenge tests may be able to demonstrate in a better way subtle beneficial effects of nutrition on health. The paper describes some basic concepts relevant to nutrition research as well as some of the possibilities that are offered by nutrigenomics technology. Some of its applications are described. Copyright © The Author 2013.

Obesity is a major, rapidly developing, health problem in the Western world. Preventing or treating obesity appears to be a problem. Also, mechanisms underlying obesity-related diseases are largely unknown. One of the key organs, fat tissue, has recently gained more attention. Whereas fat tissue was considered a rather inert depot of superfluous energy, it has now been rediscovered as an important player in both metabolic as well as in endocrine processes. Microarray analysis is one of the techniques that will provide insight in the effects of nutrition on metabolic and endocrine activity of fat tissue. Such data may help define new targets for nutrition interventions which in turn may help support a healthy weight. This paper aims to overview the gene expression studies in this context.

Light to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiologic studies, like our analysis of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study, suggest that moderate alcohol consumption is also associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, reported for various populations. This risk reduction may be explained by an increase in insulin sensitivity after moderate alcohol consumption. Indeed, a positive association between alcohol consumption and insulin sensitivity is consistently reported in cross-sectional studies. Mechanisms for the effect of alcohol on insulin sensitivity may include modulation of changes in the endocrine functioning of fat tissue, modulation of the inflammatory status of several organs, and/or modulation of glucose and fatty acid metabolism. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Objective and conclusion: An overview is given of our understanding of the uptake and metabolism of retinoids. The mechanisms underlying retinol uptake by organs and tissues are still unsettled. The retinol-binding proteins CRBP I and CRBP II appear to play an essential role in retinyl ester hydrolysis and formation and in retinoic acid formation. Chemicals/CAS: Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases, EC 3.1.1.-; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Retinoic Acid; Retinoids; retinol binding protein receptor; retinyl esterase, EC 3.1.1.-; Tretinoin, 302-79-4; Vitamin A, 11103-57-4