title: Fatty acids and epigenetics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this review is to assess the findings of recent studies on the effects of fatty acids on epigenetic process and the role of epigenetics in regulating fatty acid metabolism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The DNA methylation status of the Fads2 promoter was increased in the liver of the offspring of mice fed an α-linolenic acid-enriched diet during pregnancy. In rats, increasing total maternal fat intake during pregnancy and lactation induced persistent hypermethylation of the Fads2 promoter in the liver and aortae of their offspring. However, increased fish oil intake in adult rats induced transient, reversible hypermethylation of Fads2. High-fat feeding in rodents also altered the levels of histone methylation in placentae and in adipose tissue. Dietary docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in pregnant women induced marginal changes in global DNA methylation in cord blood leukocytes. A high fat diet altered the DNA methylation status of specific genes in skeletal muscle in young men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are emerging findings that support the suggestion that fatty acids, in particular polyunsaturated fatty acids, can modify the epigenome. However, there is a need for rigorous investigations that assess directly the effect epigenetic modifications induced by fatty acids on gene function and metabolism.
authors: aAcademic Unit of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine bCentre for Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors: Graham C
authors: GC
authors: Burdge
authors: Karen A
authors: KA
authors: Lillycrop
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases / Q000235:genetics; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D044943:Fatty Acid Desaturases; C533241:FADS2 protein, human