Nutritional genomics and personalized diet

Nutritional genetics is considered as the combination of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics. Nutrigenomics is establishing the effects of ingested nutrients and other food components on gene expression and gene regulation. It will also determine the individual nutritional requirements based on the genetic makeup of the person [personalized diet] as well as the association between diet and chronic diseases which will help to understand the etiologic aspects of chronic diseases such as cancer, type-2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease [CVS]. Nutrigenetics on the other hand identifies how the genetic makeup of a particular individual co-ordinates his or her response to various dietary nutrients. It also reveals why and how people respond differently to the same nutrient. The present review will focus upon interaction of genetic background and diet with regard to development of such life threatening chronic conditions as obesity, cardiovascular disease [CVD], and cancer that are responsible for the majority of deaths in developed Western countries

Hereditary periodic fever syndromes

Hereditary periodic fever syndromes, comprise a group of hereditary disorders with similar clinical features of recurrent short episodes of fever associated with inflammatory manifestations. These are usually self-limited in nature and occur in the absence of infection or autoimmune reaction. Between attacks, patients feel well and regain their normal daily functions until the next episode occurs. The episodes are usually associated with elevated serum levels of acute-phase reactants [e.g., fibrinogen, serum amyloid A [SAA]], an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], and leukocytosis. These illnesses represent inborn errors in the regulation of innate immunity thus substantiating the distinction from autoimmune disorders, which more directly affect the adaptive immune system. Each of these disorders has a distinct genetic defect. Most of these proteins are members of the Death Domain Superfamily and are involved in inflammation and apoptosis. These proteins mediate the regulation of nuclear factor-kB [NF-kB], cell apoptosis, and interleukin 1beta [IL-1beta] secretion through cross-regulated and common signaling pathways. Six periodic fever syndromes have been characterized. Genetic defects, pathogenesis, epidemiology and management of these fevers will be discussed