Physical Activity Level Influences MTHFR Gene Methylation Profile in Diabetic Patients

Unveiling the Therapeutic Potential of Folate-Dependent One-Carbon Metabolism in Cancer and Neurodegeneration

Cellular metabolism is crucial for various physiological processes, with folate-dependent one-carbon (1C) metabolism playing a pivotal role. Folate, a B vitamin, is a key cofactor in this pathway, supporting DNA synthesis, methylation processes, and antioxidant defenses. In dividing cells, folate facilitates nucleotide biosynthesis, ensuring genomic stability and preventing carcinogenesis. Additionally, in neurodevelopment, folate is essential for neural tube closure and central nervous system formation. Thus, dysregulation of folate metabolism can contribute to pathologies such as cancer, severe birth defects, and neurodegenerative diseases. Epidemiological evidence highlights folate's impact on disease risk and its potential as a therapeutic target. In cancer, antifolate drugs that inhibit key enzymes of folate-dependent 1C metabolism and strategies targeting folate receptors are current therapeutic options. However, folate's impact on cancer risk is complex, varying among cancer types and dietary contexts. In neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, folate deficiency exacerbates cognitive decline through elevated homocysteine levels, contributing to neuronal damage. Clinical trials of folic acid supplementation show mixed outcomes, underscoring the complexities of its neuroprotective effects. This review integrates current knowledge on folate metabolism in cancer and neurodegeneration, exploring molecular mechanisms, clinical implications, and therapeutic strategies, which can provide crucial information for advancing treatments.

Changes in the Expression of Inflammatory Genes Induced by Chronic Exercise in the Adipose Tissue: Differences by Sex

The impact of obesity on adipose tissue function is well acknowledged, but the role of physical exercise in regulating inflammatory markers and gene expression in obese individuals remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the effects of chronic exercise on inflammatory gene expression in adipose tissue and to explore sex differences in response to exercise. The study involved 29 obese participants (13 men, 16 women) aged 38 to 54 years with a mean BMI of 36.05 ± 4.99 kg/m2. Participants underwent an 8-week concurrent training program comprising three weekly sessions of ~60 min each. The sessions included joint mobility exercises, cardiovascular activation, and cardiorespiratory resistance exercises at medium to low intensity. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue was performed for gene expression analysis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The study demonstrated that chronic exercise modulates the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue, particularly ADIPOR2 (p = 0.028), leptin (p = 0.041), and IFNg (p = 0.040) (downregulated). Interestingly, regardless of sex, the exercise programs had an independent effect on pro-inflammatory genes. Overall, this study provides insight into the role of chronic exercise in modulating adipose tissue gene expression in obese individuals. Further research involving both sexes is recommended to tailor exercise interventions for better outcomes.

DNA methyltransferase expression (DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b) as a potential biomarker for anti-VEGF diabetic macular edema response

PURPOSE

DNA methylation is involved in Diabetic Retinopathy progression showing a metabolic memory mechanism. However, the association of DNA methyltransferase with diabetic macular edema is still unknown. We aimed to describe the differences in DNA methyltransferase gene expression in patients with different diabetic macular edema responses.

METHODS

A total of 27 diabetic patients, aged 59-90 years, were prospectively enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The participants were classified into control group (CG, n = 11), diabetic macular edema responders (rDME, n = 9) and non-responder diabetic macular edema (nrDME, n = 7) after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. Only cases with a complete ophthalmological examination, digital 133° color fundus, and SD-OCT assessments were used. After RNA extraction and first-strand cDNA synthesis, quantitative real-time PCR was performed with specific primers on the CFX Connect™ Real-Time PCR Detection System to assess differential transcriptional expression patterns.

RESULTS

The DNMT1 gene showed a positive correlation (r = 0.617; p = 0.043) with Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) in CG, a positive correlation (r = 0.917; p = 0.010) with HbA1c in nrDME and a negative correlation (r = -0.659; p = 0.049) with GCL-IPL thickness in rDME. DNMT3A gene showed a positive correlation (r = -0.890; p = 0.001) with Sub-foveal Choroidal thickness in rDME whereas DNMT3b gene showed a negative correlation (r = -0.815; p = 0.007) with HbA1c and RNFL (r = -0.664; p = 0.026) in CG.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with similar metabolic profile risk factors showed associated DNA methyltransferase transcriptional expression patterns differences fitting with the anti-VEGF diabetic macular edema response. Further studies are needed to clarify if these results (1) reflect disease evolution, (2) translate the therapeutic impact, (3) or can help to predict the therapeutic resistance profile.

Polymorphism but not methylation status in the vitamin D receptor gene contributes to oral mucositis in children

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms rs1544410 (BsmI), rs2228570 (FokI) and rs731236 (TaqI) and DNA methylation status in the VDR gene (vitamin D receptor) with oral mucositis (OM) in oncopaediatric patients treated with methotrexate (MTX®).

METHODS

The population comprised healthy patients with haematological malignancies aged between 5 and 19 years. An evaluation of oral conditions was performed using the Oral Assessment Guide. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and haematological data were obtained from medical records. Genomic DNA from oral mucosal cells was used for the analysis of polymorphisms (n = 102) (PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism) and DNA methylation (n = 81) (methylation-specific PCR).

RESULTS

Males predominated (57.8%), and the mean age was 10.3 years (±4.7). OM affected 84.3% of patients, of which 53.1% developed severe oral mucositis (SOM). Patients with OM had lower platelet and leukocyte counts (p < 0.05). The G allele of rs1544410 (p = 0.040) and the CT genotype of rs2228570 polymorphisms were associated with SOM (p = 0.038). A partially methylated status in the VDR promoter was found in all patients.

CONCLUSION

OM is associated with lower leukocyte and platelet counts. SOM is associated with the rs1544410 and rs2228570 polymorphisms. The methylation status of the VDR is not associated with inflammation or exposure to MTX®.

Relationship between Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Neurodegenerative Disease: Lessons from ADH1B, CYP1A2 and MTHFR

In the present review, the main features involved in the susceptibility and progression of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) have been discussed, with the purpose of highlighting their potential application for promoting the management and treatment of patients with NDDs. In particular, the impact of genetic and epigenetic factors, nutrients, and lifestyle will be presented, with particular emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Metabolism, dietary habits, physical exercise and microbiota are part of a complex network that is crucial for brain function and preservation. This complex equilibrium can be disrupted by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors causing perturbations in central nervous system homeostasis, contributing thereby to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Diet and physical activity can directly act on epigenetic modifications, which, in turn, alter the expression of specific genes involved in NDDs onset and progression. On this subject, the introduction of nutrigenomics shed light on the main molecular players involved in the modulation of health and disease status. In particular, the review presents data concerning the impact of ADH1B, CYP1A2, and MTHFR on the susceptibility and progression of NDDs (especially AD and PD) and how they may be exploited for developing precision medicine strategies for the disease treatment and management.

Mitochondrial DNA and Epigenetics: Investigating Interactions with the One-Carbon Metabolism in Obesity

Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) has been proposed for use as a surrogate biomarker of mitochondrial health, and evidence suggests that mtDNA might be methylated. Intermediates of the one-carbon cycle (1CC), which is duplicated in the cytoplasm and mitochondria, have a major role in modulating the impact of diet on the epigenome. Moreover, epigenetic pathways and the redox system are linked by the metabolism of glutathione (GSH). In a cohort of 101 normal-weight and 97 overweight/obese subjects, we evaluated mtDNAcn and methylation levels in both mitochondrial and nuclear areas to test the association of these marks with body weight, metabolic profile, and availability of 1CC intermediates associated with diet. Body composition was associated with 1CC intermediate availability. Reduced levels of GSH were measured in the overweight/obese group (p = 1.3∗10⁻⁵). A high BMI was associated with lower LINE-1 (p = 0.004) and nominally lower methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene methylation (p = 0.047). mtDNAcn was lower in overweight/obese subjects (p = 0.004) and independently correlated with MTHFR methylation levels (p = 0.005) but not to LINE-1 methylation levels (p = 0.086). DNA methylation has been detected in the light strand but not in the heavy strand of the mtDNA. Although mtDNA methylation in the light strand did not differ between overweight/obese and normal-weight subjects, it was nominally correlated with homocysteine levels (p = 0.035) and MTHFR methylation (p = 0.033). This evidence suggests that increased body weight might perturb mitochondrial-nuclear homeostasis affecting the availability of nutrients acting as intermediates of the one-carbon cycle.

Exercise effects on DNA methylation in EVL, CDKN2A (p14, ARF), and ESR1 in colon tissue from healthy men and women

Physical activity reduces risk of colon cancer persons by 20-30%. Aberrant methylation patterns are common epigenetic alterations in colorectal adenomas and cancers, and play a role in cancer initiation and progression. Alterations have been identified in normal colon tissue potentially representing a "field cancerization" process, where the normal colon is primed for carcinogenesis. Here, we investigate methylation patterns in three genes -Ena/VASP-like (EVL), (CDKN2A (p14, ARF)), and Estrogen Receptor-1 (ESR1)-in normal colon tissue collected at baseline and 12-months from 202 sedentary men and women, 40-75 years, enrolled in a randomized controlled trial testing an exercise intervention vs. control (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00668161). Participants were randomized to moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise, 60 minutes/day, 6 days/week for 12 months, or usual lifestyle. Sigmoid colon biopsies were obtained at baseline and 12-months, DNA extracted, and bisulphite converted. Droplet digital methylation-specific PCR was performed for EVL, p14ARF, and ESR1. Generalized estimating equations modification of linear regression were used to model relationships between intervention effects and candidate gene methylation levels, adjusting for possible confounders.There were no statistically significant differences between methylation patterns at 12-months between exercisers and controls. ESR1 methylation patterns differed by sex: women -10.58% (exercisers) +11.10% (controls); men +5.54% (exercisers), -8.16% (controls); (P=0.05), adjusting for BMI and age. There were no statistically significant changes in methylation patterns in any gene stratified by change in VO₂max, or by minutes/week of exercise.While no statistically significant differences were found in gene methylation patterns comparing exercises vs. controls, 12-month exercise effects on ESR1 methylation differed by sex, warranting further study.