Dietary modifications, weight loss, and changes in metabolic markers affect global DNA methylation in Hispanic, African American, and Afro-Caribbean breast cancer survivors

LINE-1 methylation is positively associated with healthier lifestyle but inversely related to body fat mass in healthy young individuals

With the goal of investigating if epigenetic biomarkers from white blood cells (WBC) are associated with dietary, anthropometric, metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in young and apparently healthy individuals. We evaluated 156 individuals (91 women, 65 men; age: 23.1±3.5 years; body mass index: 22.0±2.9 kg/m(2)) for anthropometric, biochemical and clinical markers, including some components of the antioxidant defense system and inflammatory response. DNA methylation of LINE-1, TNF-α and IL-6 and the expression of some genes related to the inflammatory process were analyzed in WBC. Adiposity was lower among individuals with higher LINE-1 methylation. On the contrary, body fat-free mass was higher among those with higher LINE-1 methylation. Individuals with higher LINE-1 methylation had higher daily intakes of calories, iron and riboflavin. However, those individuals who presented lower percentages of LINE-1 methylation reported higher intakes of copper, niacin and thiamin. Interestingly, the group with higher LINE-1 methylation had a lower percentage of current smokers and more individuals practicing sports. On the other hand, TNF-α methylation percentage was negatively associated with waist girth, waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-stature ratio. Plasma TNF-α levels were lower in those individuals with higher TNF-α methylation. This study suggests that higher levels of LINE-1 and TNF-α methylation are associated with better indicators of adiposity status in healthy young individuals. In addition, energy and micronutrient intake, as well as a healthy lifestyle, may have a role in the regulation of DNA methylation in WBC and the subsequent metabolic changes may affect epigenetic biomarkers.

Methylation of Apoptosis-Associated Speck-Like Protein With a Caspase Recruitment Domain and Outcomes in Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is associated with inflammation characterized by the formation of the inflammasome, which triggers maturation of inflammatory cytokines. Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein with a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), a vital component of the inflammasome, is controlled through epigenetic modification, which may be a candidate pathway for worsening HF. This study examined the inflammasome pathway in HF and the relationships between ASC CpG methylation and outcomes in HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Stored samples from 155 HF outpatients (ejection fraction 29.9 ± 14.9%) were analyzed for percentage methylation of 7 CpG sites in the intron region preceding exon 1 of the ASC gene. ASC methylation was inversely related to ASC mRNA (r = -0.33; P < .001) and protein (r = -0.464; P < .001). ASC methylation had a positive linear relationship with ejection fraction (r = 0.85; P < .001), quality of life (r = 0.83; P < .001), and 6-minute walk test (r = 0.59; P = .023) and a negative linear relationship with depression (r = -0.81; P < .001) and anxiety (r = -0.75; P < .001). Higher ASC methylation was associated with a lower risk for clinical events (hazard ratio [HR] 0.16; P = .025), whereas higher protein (HR = 1.78; P = .045) and mRNA expression (HR = 1.18; P = .05) were associated with a greater risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased methylation of CpG sites in the intron region of ASC is associated with improved outcomes in HF. The associated decrease in ASC expression implicates this inflammatory mediator as a possible driver of HF outcomes and may represent a therapeutic target.

Low fruit consumption and folate deficiency are associated with LINE-1 hypomethylation in women of a cancer-free population

Several dietary agents, such as micronutrient and non-nutrient components, the so-called bioactive food components, have been shown to display anticancer properties and influence genetic processes. The most common epigenetic change is DNA methylation. Hypomethylation of long interspersed elements (LINE-1) has been associated with an increased risk of several cancers, although conflicting findings have also been observed. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and folate deficiency may cause LINE-1 hypomethylation in blood leukocytes of healthy women, and thus genomic instability. One hundred and seventy-seven non-pregnant women were enrolled. Mediterranean diet score (MDS) and folate intake were calculated using a food frequency questionnaire. LINE-1 methylation level was measured by pyrosequencing analysis in three CpG sites of LINE-1 promoter. According to MDS, only 9.6 % of subjects achieved a high adherence to MD. Taking into account the use of supplements, there was a high prevalence of folate deficiency (73.4 %). Women whose consumption of fruit was below the median value (i.e., <201 gr/day) were 3.7 times more likely to display LINE-1 hypomethylation than women whose consumption was above the median value (OR 3.7; 95 % CI 1.4–9.5). Similarly, women with folate deficiency were 3.6 times more likely to display LINE-1 hypomethylation than women with no folate deficiency (OR 3.6; 95 % CI 1.1–12.1). A dietary pattern characterized by low fruit consumption and folate deficiency is associated with LINE-1 hypomethylation and with cancer risk.