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Das SK, Comeau ME, Langefeld CD. Metaboepigenetic regulation of gene expression in obesity and insulin resistance. Metabolomics 2024; 20:91. [PMID: 39096438 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02159-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Variation in DNA methylation (DNAm) in adipose tissue is associated with the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. The activity of enzymes involved in altering DNAm levels is dependent on several metabolite cofactors. OBJECTIVES To understand the role of metabolites as mechanistic regulators of epigenetic marks, we tested the association between selected plasma metabolites and DNAm levels in the adipose tissue of African Americans. METHODS In the AAGMEx cohort (N = 256), plasma levels of metabolites were measured by untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; adipose tissue DNAm and transcript levels were measured by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, and expression microarray, respectively. RESULTS Among the 21 one-carbon metabolism pathway metabolites evaluated, six were associated with gluco-metabolic traits (PFDR < 0.05, for BMI, SI, or Matsuda index) in AAGMEx. Methylation levels of 196, 116, and 180 CpG-sites were associated (P < 0.0001) with S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), cystine, and hypotaurine, respectively. Cis-expression quantitative trait methylation (cis eQTM) analyses suggested the role of metabolite-level-associated CpG sites in regulating the expression of adipose tissue transcripts, including genes in G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway. Plasma SAH level-associated CpG sites chr19:3403712 and chr19:3403735 were also associated with the expression of G-protein subunit alpha 15 (GNA15) in adipose. The expression of GNA15 was significantly correlated with BMI (β = 1.87, P = 1.9 × 10-16) and SI (β = -1.61, P = 2.49 × 10-5). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that a subset of metabolites modulates the methylation levels of CpG sites in specific loci and, in turn, regulates the expression of transcripts involved in obesity and insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapan K Das
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical Center Boulevard, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
| | - Mary E Comeau
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Carl D Langefeld
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Carlin DJ, Rider CV. Combined Exposures and Mixtures Research: An Enduring NIEHS Priority. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:75001. [PMID: 38968090 PMCID: PMC11225971 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) continues to prioritize research to better understand the health effects resulting from exposure to mixtures of chemical and nonchemical stressors. Mixtures research activities over the last decade were informed by expert input during the development and deliberations of the 2011 NIEHS Workshop "Advancing Research on Mixtures: New Perspectives and Approaches for Predicting Adverse Human Health Effects." NIEHS mixtures research efforts since then have focused on key themes including a) prioritizing mixtures for study, b) translating mixtures data from in vitro and in vivo studies, c) developing cross-disciplinary collaborations, d) informing component-based and whole-mixture assessment approaches, e) developing sufficient similarity methods to compare across complex mixtures, f) using systems-based approaches to evaluate mixtures, and g) focusing on management and integration of mixtures-related data. OBJECTIVES We aimed to describe NIEHS driven research on mixtures and combined exposures over the last decade and present areas for future attention. RESULTS Intramural and extramural mixtures research projects have incorporated a diverse array of chemicals (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, botanicals, personal care products, wildfire emissions) and nonchemical stressors (e.g., socioeconomic factors, social adversity) and have focused on many diseases (e.g., breast cancer, atherosclerosis, immune disruption). We have made significant progress in certain areas, such as developing statistical methods for evaluating multiple chemical associations in epidemiology and building translational mixtures projects that include both in vitro and in vivo models. DISCUSSION Moving forward, additional work is needed to improve mixtures data integration, elucidate interactions between chemical and nonchemical stressors, and resolve the geospatial and temporal nature of mixture exposures. Continued mixtures research will be critical to informing cumulative impact assessments and addressing complex challenges, such as environmental justice and climate change. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14340.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. Carlin
- Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cynthia V. Rider
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Vieira TDS, Freitas FV, Silva Neto LCB, Borçoi AR, Mendes SO, Olinda AS, Moreno IAA, Quaioto BR, de Souza MLM, Barbosa WM, Arpini JK, Sorroche BP, de Assis Pinheiro J, Archanjo AB, dos Santos JG, Arantes LMRB, de Oliveira DR, da Silva AMA. An industrialized diet as a determinant of methylation in the 1F region of the NR3C1 gene promoter. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1168715. [PMID: 38633601 PMCID: PMC11021719 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1168715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Dietary composition can modify gene expression, favoring the development of chronic diseases via epigenetic mechanisms. Objective Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and NR3C1 gene methylation in users of the Brazilian Public Unified Health System (SUS). Methods We recruited 250 adult volunteers and evaluated their socioeconomic status, psychosocial characteristics, lifestyle, and anthropometrics. Peripheral blood was collected and evaluated for cortisol levels, glycemia, lipid profile, and insulin resistance; methylation of CpGs 40-47 of the 1F region of the NR3C1 gene was also measured. Factors associated with degree of methylation were evaluated using generalized linear models (p < 0.05). Lifestyle variables and health variables were included as confounding factors. Results The findings of our cross-sectional study indicated an association between NR3C1 DNA methylation and intake of processed foods. We also observed relevant associations of average NR3C1 DNA across the segment analyzed, methylation in component 1 (40-43), and methylation in component 2 (44-47) with a pattern of consumption of industrialized products in relation to BMI, serum cortisol levels, and lipid profile. These results may indicate a relationship between methylation and metabolic changes related to the stress response. Conclusion These findings suggest an association of methylation and metabolic alterations with stress response. In addition, the present study highlights the significant role of diet quality as a stress-inducing factor that influences NR3C1 methylation. This relationship is further linked to changes in psychosocial factors, lifestyle choices, and cardiometabolic variables, including glucose levels, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamires dos Santos Vieira
- Program of Post-Graduation in Biotechnology/Renorbio, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | | | - Aline Ribeiro Borçoi
- Program of Post-Graduation in Biotechnology/Renorbio, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Sgrancio Olinda
- Program of Post-Graduation in Biotechnology/Renorbio, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Ivana Alece Arantes Moreno
- Program of Post-Graduation in Biotechnology/Renorbio, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Risse Quaioto
- Program of Post-Graduation in Biotechnology/Renorbio, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Wagner Miranda Barbosa
- Department of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - Julia de Assis Pinheiro
- Program of Post-Graduation in Biotechnology/Renorbio, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Anderson Barros Archanjo
- Program of Post-Graduation in Biotechnology/Renorbio, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Adriana Madeira Alvares da Silva
- Program of Post-Graduation in Biotechnology/Renorbio, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
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Ren Y, Zeng Y, Wu Y, Zhang Q, Xiao X. Maternal methyl donor supplementation: A potential therapy for metabolic disorder in offspring. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 124:109533. [PMID: 37977406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2023.109533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The prevalences of diabetes mellitus and obesity are increasing yearly and has become a serious social burden. In addition to genetic factors, environmental factors in early life development are critical in influencing the prevalence of metabolic disorders in offspring. A growing body of evidence suggests the critical role of early methyl donor intervention in offspring health. Emerging studies have shown that methyl donors can influence offspring metabolism through epigenetic modifications and changing metabolism-related genes. In this review, we focus on the role of folic acid, betaine, vitamin B12, methionine, and choline in protecting against metabolic disorders in offspring. To address the current evidence on the potential role of maternal methyl donors, we summarize clinical studies as well as experimental animal models that support the impact of maternal methyl donors on offspring metabolism and discuss the mechanisms of action that may bring about these positive effects. Given the worldwide prevalence of metabolic disorders, these findings could be utilized in clinical practice, in which methyl donor supplementation in the early life years may reverse metabolic disorders in offspring and block the harmful intergenerational effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaolin Ren
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yuan Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Xinhua Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
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Habra H, Kachman M, Padmanabhan V, Burant C, Karnovsky A, Meijer J. Alignment and Analysis of a Disparately Acquired Multibatch Metabolomics Study of Maternal Pregnancy Samples. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:2936-2946. [PMID: 36367990 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics studies are typically performed under roughly identical experimental settings. Measurements acquired with different LC-MS protocols or following extended time intervals harbor significant variation in retention times and spectral abundances due to altered chromatographic, spectrometric, and other factors, raising many data analysis challenges. We developed a computational workflow for merging and harmonizing metabolomics data acquired under disparate LC-MS conditions. Plasma metabolite profiles were collected from two sets of maternal subjects three years apart using distinct instruments and LC-MS procedures. Metabolomics features were aligned using metabCombiner to generate lists of compounds detected across all experimental batches. We applied data set-specific normalization methods to remove interbatch and interexperimental variation in spectral intensities, enabling statistical analysis on the assembled data matrix. Bioinformatics analyses revealed large-scale metabolic changes in maternal plasma between the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and between maternal plasma and umbilical cord blood. We observed increases in steroid hormones and free fatty acids from the first trimester to term of gestation, along with decreases in amino acids coupled to increased levels in cord blood. This work demonstrates the viability of integrating nonidentically acquired LC-MS metabolomics data and its utility in unconventional metabolomics study designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hani Habra
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Maureen Kachman
- Michigan Regional Comprehensive Metabolomics Resource Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Charles Burant
- Michigan Regional Comprehensive Metabolomics Resource Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Alla Karnovsky
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jennifer Meijer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, United States
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