Homocysteine associated genomic DNA hypermethylation in patients with chronic alcoholism.
Higher plasma homocysteine concentrations can influence genomic DNA methylation in peripheral blood cells. In the present controlled study we observed a significant increase (10%) of genomic DNA methylation in patients with alcoholism (t = -3.16, df = 158, p = 0.002) which was significantly associated with their elevated homocysteine levels (multiple linear regression, p < 0.001). Since methylation of DNA is an important epigenetic factor in regulation of gene expression these findings may have important implications for a possible subsequent derangement of epigenetic control these patients.
Bönsch
D
D
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. dominikus.boensch@psych.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Lenz
B
B
Reulbach
U
U
Kornhuber
J
J
Bleich
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006710:Homocysteine; D000431:Ethanol