title: IGF2 methylation is associated with lipid profile in obese children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to investigate the relationships between the degree of IGF2 methylation and the metabolic status in obese children and adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-five obese subjects aged 11.6 ± 2.1 years were studied. Anthropometry, metabolic parameters, blood pressure and body composition were assessed. DNA methylation analysis was performed by restriction enzyme digestion assay. The study population was subdivided into two groups according to the percentage of IGF2 cytidine-guanosine (CpG) island methylation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two subjects showed intermediate methylation (a percentage of CpG site methylation comprised between 10 and 60%), 56 were hypomethylated (percentage of methylation lower than 10%), and only 1 showed a high rate of hypermethylation (percentage of methylation above 60%). Children with intermediate methylation showed significantly higher levels of triglycerides (107.6 ± 41.99 vs. 76.6 ± 30.18 mg/dl, p < 0.005) and a higher triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio (2.23 ± 0.98 vs. 1.79 ± 0.98, p < 0.02) compared with hypomethylated children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary findings show for the first time a relationship between IGF2 methylation pattern and lipid profile in obese children. Although the correlation does not imply causation, if our findings are confirmed in further studies, IGF2 methylation might represent an epigenetic marker of metabolic risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deodati
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Inzaghi
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liguori
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puglianiello
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Germani
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brufani
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fintini
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cappa
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbetti
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cianfarani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008745:Methylation; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II