SMAD3 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: Then we validated 7 obesity or lipid metabolism related genes (Hif1a, Spon1, H19, Adrb2, Vldlr, Zfp36, Smad3), and found that compared to CTL group, Vldlr was hypermethylated and low expressed, and Hif1α was demethylated and high expressed in the VDD group (Fig. 5).