Maternal Methyl-Group Donor Intake and Global DNA (Hydroxy)Methylation before and during Pregnancy

Abstract

It is still unclear to which extent methyl-group intake during pregnancy can affect maternal global DNA (hydroxyl)methylation. Pregnancy methylation profiling and its link with methyl-group intake in a healthy population could enhance our understanding of the development of pregnancy related disorders. One hundred forty-eight women were enrolled in the MANOE (MAternal Nutrition and Offspring’s Epigenome) study. Thiry-four women were enrolled before pregnancy and 116 during the first trimester of pregnancy. Global DNA (hydroxy)methylation in blood using LC-MS/MS and dietary methyl-group intake (methionine, folate, betaine, and choline) using a food-frequency questionnaire were estimated pre-pregnancy, during each trimester, and at delivery. Global DNA (hydroxy)methylation levels were highest pre-pregnancy and at weeks 18–22 of pregnancy. We observed a positive relation between folic acid and global DNA methylation (p = 0.04) and hydroxymethylation (p = 0.04). A high intake of methionine pre-pregnancy and in the first trimester showed lower (hydroxy)methylation percentage in weeks 11–13 and weeks 18–22, respectively. Choline and betaine intake in the first weeks was negatively associated with hydroxymethylation. Women with a high intake of these three methyl groups in the second and third trimester showed higher hyrdoxymethylation/methylation levels in the third trimester. To conclude, a time trend in DNA (hydroxy)methylation was found and women with higher methyl-group intake showed higher methylation in the third trimester, and not in earlier phases of pregnancy.

Lifestyle and Chronic Pain across the Lifespan: An Inconvenient Truth?

“…Accumulating evidence has showed that toxic chemical elements (eg, solvents, tobacco, drugs etc. ), diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and stressful events change gene expression. This means that epigenetic mechanisms have the ability of linking environmental factors and lifestyle to the way a gene works.…”

Rumen-protected B vitamin complex supplementation during the transition period and early lactation alters endometrium mRNA expression on day 14 of gestation in lactating dairy cows

“…This gene codes for folate receptor 1, which helps in transporting folic acid and its derivatives, primarily 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, to the inside of the cells. 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate is the biologically active form of vitamin B 9 (folate) and is an important player in DNA synthesis (Pauwels et al, 2016), and along with choline and methionine, in epigenetic changes such as methylation of DNA and RNA (Fenech, 2012) and onecarbon metabolism (Depeint et al, 2006). Although folate deficiency does not affect implantation, it plays an important role in fetal growth and development and its deficiency has been reported to cause fetal defects and even preterm death in humans (Guèant et al, 2013).…”

Dietary and supplemental maternal methyl-group donor intake and cord blood DNA methylation

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