Methylation levels of the SCD1 gene promoter and LINE-1 repeat region are associated with weight change: an intervention study.
METHODS
Epigenetic processes may be affected by environmental factors. DNA methylation measured in LINE-1 elements (LINE-1, long interspersed nucleotide element-1) correlates with LINE-1 DNA methylation. Variations in stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) activity (a key enzyme in the fatty acid metabolism) may be involved in various processes that can lead to diseases such as obesity. We evaluated whether changes in diet after a nutritional intervention would be associated with changes in LINE-1 DNA methylation and/or specific methylation of SCD1 gene promoter.


RESULTS



METHODS
Prospective cohort intervention study with a control group. We recorded phenotypic, anthropometric, biochemical, and nutritional information at baseline and 1 year later. DNA methylation was quantified by pyrosequencing. LINE-1 DNA methylation and SCD1 gene promoter methylation levels were similar at the beginning of the study in both populations, whereas after a year these levels were higher in the control group (p < 0.001). In the intervention group, those subjects who lost weight showed higher levels of SCD1 gene promoter methylation after the intervention. Subjects with lower adherence to a Mediterranean diet experienced larger changes in LINE-1 methylation.


CONCLUSIONS
DNA methylation levels were associated with weight change and with adherence to a Mediterranean diet.
UGCI de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Hospital Regional Universitario, Malaga, Spain; CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Spain.
Gracia María
GM
Martín-Núñez
Rebeca
R
Cabrera-Mulero
Elehazara
E
Rubio-Martín
Gemma
G
Rojo-Martínez
Gabriel
G
Olveira
Sergio
S
Valdés
Federico
F
Soriguer
Luis
L
Castaño
Sonsoles
S
Morcillo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D020084:Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010641:Phenotype; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase / Q000235:genetics*
C523776:SCD1 protein, human; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase
Body weight; DNA methylation; Diet; Intervention study