Biological Research (Apr 2019)

Methylation profile of the ADRB3 gene and its association with lipid profile and nutritional status in adults

  • Raquel Patrícia Ataíde Lima,
  • Marina Ramalho Ribeiro,
  • Keylha Querino de Farias Lima,
  • Elisama Araújo de Sena,
  • Diego de Oliveira Costa,
  • Rafaella Cristhine Pordeus Luna,
  • Rayner Anderson Ferreira do Nascimento,
  • Maria da Conceição Rodrigues Gonçalves,
  • Rodrigo Pinheiro de Toledo Vianna,
  • Ronei Marcos de Moraes,
  • Naila Francis Paulo de Oliveira,
  • Aléssio Tony Cavalcanti de Almeida,
  • Maria José de Carvalho Costa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40659-019-0226-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 52, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Background Defects in DNA methylation have been shown to be associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypercholesterolemia. To analyze the methylation profile of the ADRB3 gene and correlate it with lipid profile, lipid intake, and oxidative stress based on malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), homocysteine and folic acid levels, nutritional status, lifestyle, and socioeconomic variables in an adult population. A cross-sectional epidemiological study representative of the East and West regions of the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba state, Brazil, enrolled 265 adults of both genders. Demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic questionnaires and a 24-h recall questionnaire were applied by trained interviewers’ home. Nutritional and biochemical evaluation (DNA methylation, lipid profile, MDA, TAC, homocysteine and folic acid levels) was performed. Results DNA hypermethylation of the ADRB3 gene, analyzed in leukocytes, was present in 50% of subjects and was associated with a higher risk of being overweight (OR 3.28; p = 0.008) or obese (OR 3.06; p = 0.017), a higher waist–hip ratio in males (OR 1.17; p = 0.000), greater intake of trans fats (OR 1.94; p = 0.032), higher LDL (OR 2.64; p = 0.003) and triglycerides (OR 1.81; p = 0.031), and higher folic acid levels (OR 1.85; p = 0.022). Conclusions These results suggest that epigenetic changes in the ADRB3 gene locus may explain the development of obesity and non-communicable diseases associated with trans-fat intake, altered lipid profile, and elevated folic acid. Because of its persistence, DNA methylation may have an impact in adults, in association with the development of non-communicable diseases. This study is the first population-based study of the ADRB3 gene, and the data further support evaluation of ADRB3 DNA methylation as an effective biomarker.

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