Global DNA methylation mediates the association between serum perfluorooctane sulfonate and carotid intima-media thickness in young and middle-aged Taiwanese populations

Chien-Yu Lin; Hui-Ling Lee; Ching-Way Chen; Chikang Wang; Fung-Chang Sung; Ta-Chen Su

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (Aug 2022)

Global DNA methylation mediates the association between serum perfluorooctane sulfonate and carotid intima-media thickness in young and middle-aged Taiwanese populations

Chien-Yu Lin,
Hui-Ling Lee,
Ching-Way Chen,
Chikang Wang,
Fung-Chang Sung,
Ta-Chen Su

Affiliations

Chien-Yu Lin: Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan; Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
Hui-Ling Lee: Department of Chemistry, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
Ching-Way Chen: Department of Cardiology, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Taiwan
Chikang Wang: Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
Fung-Chang Sung: Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University College of Public Health, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Department of Food Nutrition and Health Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan
Ta-Chen Su: Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Correspondence to: Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10002, Taiwan.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 241
p. 113782

Abstract

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Purpose: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in the manufacture of many everyday products. Previous reports have shown PFAS exposure may contribute to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Recent studies have also identified a critical role for DNA methylation, a model of epigenetic regulation, in the pathogenesis of CVD. Additionally, PFAS has been shown to affect DNA methylation. Our previous study reported the positive association between serum perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) levels and mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a biomarker of arteriosclerosis, in a cohort composed of adolescent and young adult Taiwanese. However, the contribution of DNA methylation in the mechanism of PFOS-induced arteriosclerosis has never been explored in previous literature. Approach and results: In this cross-sectional study, we included 1425 young and middle-aged Taiwanese individuals (12–63 years) to investigate the correlation between serum PFOS levels, 5mdC/dG (a global DNA methylation marker) and the mean CIMT. We showed that the positive association between serum PFOS levels, 5mdC/dG, and mean CIMT. The regression coefficients of mean CIMT with a one-unit increase in ln-PFOS concentration were higher when the levels of 5mdC/dG were above the 50th percentile in the multiple regression analysis. In the structural equation model (SEM), the results showed that serum PFOS levels were directly correlated with mean CIMT and indirectly correlated with CIMT through 5mdC/dG. Conclusions: Our results showed that PFOS exposure has direct associations on arteriosclerosis and indirect direct associations on arteriosclerosis through DNA methylation. The results suggest that DNA methylation might regulate the relationship between PFOS and arteriosclerosis in the study subjects. Additional works are required to understand the causal inference between PFOS, DNA methylation, and arteriosclerosis.

Published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

ISSN: 0147-6513 (Print); 1090-2414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Environmental pollution; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecotoxicology-and-environmental-safety

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