Oxidative Stress and DNA Methylation Regulation in the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

DNA methylation is implicated in tissue-specific gene expression and genomic imprinting. It is modulated by environmental factors, especially nutrition. Modified DNA methylation patterns may contribute to health problems and susceptibility to complex diseases. Current advances have suggested that the metabolic syndrome (MS) is a programmable disease, which is characterized by epigenetic modifications of vital genes when exposed to oxidative stress. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to critically review the central context of MS while presenting the most recent knowledge related to epigenetic alterations that are promoted by oxidative stress. Potential pro-oxidant mechanisms that orchestrate changes in methylation profiling and are related to obesity, diabetes and hypertension are discussed. It is anticipated that the identification and understanding of the role of DNA methylation marks could be used to uncover early predictors and define drugs or diet-related treatments able to delay or reverse epigenetic changes, thereby combating MS burden.

Anabolic and Antiresorptive Modulation of Bone Homeostasis by the Epigenetic Modulator Sulforaphane, a Naturally Occurring Isothiocyanate

“…Alteration of the epigenome by nutritional habits or specific food compounds is associated with promoting or repressing specific gene expression and pathologic conditions (52)(53)(54)(55). SFN has previously been shown to inhibit histone deacetylase activity (18,45,56).…”

Epigenetics and obesity cardiomyopathy: From pathophysiology to prevention and management

“…DNA methylation, a biochemical reaction of adding a methyl group to the cytosine or adenine dinucleotide sites in the genome named CpG islands using DNA methyl transferase, refers to a unique mechanism through which early-life modifications are biologically memorized or embedded (Demetriou et al, 2015). Abnormal DNA methylation or demethylation at the specific gene promoter regions is implicated in genomic imprinting and development of human diseases including obesity and cardiovascular diseases (Yara et al, 2015).…”

“…Consistent with this notion, perturbation of the redox-sensitive hypoxia inducible transcription factor (HIF) signaling has been found to be pivotal in the regulation of weight gain. Oxidative stress may be coordinated with changes in methylation patterns, leading to the chronic disease state of obesity (Yara et al, 2015). In a more recent study, compromised oocyte meiotic maturation, spindle morphology, and oocyte polarity were noted in high fat diet-induced and gene mutation-induced obesity (ob/ob) in association with overt oxidative stress, mitochondrial injury and early apoptosis.…”

Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profiles of Phlegm-Dampness Constitution

“…Due to its stability in blood samples and transmissibility during cell division, DNA methylation can be used to characterize early disease progression, and it provides an efficient way to prevent and predict diseases in clinical practice. To date, changes in DNA methylation have been widely reported to be involved in the onset of a variety of metabolic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, fatty liver, and metabolic syndrome [10-15]. …”