Vitamin B Supplementation and Nutritional Intake of Methyl Donors in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Critical Review of the Impact on Epigenetic Machinery

Abstract

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are several-fold higher in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) than in the general population. Hyperhomocysteinemia has undoubtedly a central role in such a prominent cardiovascular burden. The levels of homocysteine are regulated by methyl donors (folate, methionine, choline, betaine), and cofactors (vitamin B6, vitamin B12,). Uremia-induced hyperhomocysteinemia has as its main targets DNA methyltransferases, and this leads to an altered epigenetic control of genes regulated through methylation. In renal patients, the epigenetic landscape is strictly correlated with the uremic phenotype and dependent on dietary intake of micronutrients, inflammation, gut microbiome, inflammatory status, oxidative stress, and lifestyle habits. All these factors are key contributors in methylome maintenance and in the modulation of gene transcription through DNA hypo- or hypermethylation in CKD. This is an overview of the epigenetic changes related to DNA methylation in patients with advanced CKD and ESRD. We explored the currently available data on the molecular dysregulations resulting from altered gene expression in uremia. Special attention was paid to the efficacy of B-vitamins supplementation and dietary intake of methyl donors on homocysteine lowering and cardiovascular protection.

Validating Accuracy of a Mobile Application against Food Frequency Questionnaire on Key Nutrients with Modern Diets for mHealth Era

“…A dietary intake of key essential nutrients is important to promote and maintain human health and to reduce health risks across the life span, which can be achieved with a personalized diet [1-6]; however, significant proportions of the population do not consume the recommended daily intake of essential nutrients [7,8]. Inadequate intake of essential macro-and micro-nutrients can lead to mortality, morbidity, and create a burden on healthcare systems [1][2][3][4][5][6]. With the accessibility of modern smartphones, the essential micro-nutrients can be assessed conveniently through internet-based health applications (apps) to enhance healthy nutrigenomics and epigenetics [9][10][11].…”

A prospective cohort study of racial/ethnic variation in the association between change in cystatin C and dietary quality in older Americans

“…Greater vegetable protein intake has been associated with reduced proteinuria and urinary creatinine (62) and reduced mortality among those experiencing CKD (63) . Vitamin B 6 has been shown to inhibit formation of advanced glycation end products (64) , and inadequate folate intake has been associated with hyperhomocysteinemia, which is common in CKD patients (65) . That Hispanic/Latino older adults were consuming some nephroprotective foods and nutrients in greater quantities than older White adults may underly racial/ethnic differences in the observed association between dietary quality and cystatin C change.…”

Epigenetics in the Uterine Environment: How Maternal Diet and ART May Influence the Epigenome in the Offspring with Long-Term Health Consequences

“…Other studies in human cohorts found an association between folic acid supplementation during the periconception period and increased methylation in IGF2 in the offspring [ 124 ]. DNA methylation during development is related to methyl donor groups obtained from one-carbon metabolism, so there are several associated studies [ 115 , 119 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 ].…”