title: Epigenetic effects of ethanol on liver and gastrointestinal injury.
abstract: Alcohol consumption causes cellular injury. Recent developments indicate that ethanol induces epigenetic alterations, particularly acetylation, methylation of histones, and hypo- and hypermethylation of DNA. This has opened up a new area of interest in ethanol research and is providing novel insight into actions of ethanol at the nucleosomal level in relation to gene expression and patho-physiological consequences. The epigenetic effects are mainly attributable to ethanol metabolic stress (Emess), generated by the oxidative and non-oxidative metabolism of ethanol, and dysregulation of methionine metabolism. Epigenetic changes are important in ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, carcinoma and gastrointestinal injury. This editorial highlights these new advances and its future potential.
authors.forename: Shivendra D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Annayya R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Aroor
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000293:injuries*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries*; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol