title: Methylation analysis in fatty-acid-related genes reveals their plasticity associated with conjugated linoleic acid and calcium supplementation in adult mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  DNA methylation is one of the most extensively studied mechanisms within epigenetics, and it is suggested that diet-induced changes in methylation status could be involved in energy metabolism regulation. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and calcium supplementation counteract body weight gain, particularly under a high-fat (HF) diet, in adult mice. The aim was to determine whether the modulation of DNA methylation pattern in target genes and tissues could be an underlying mechanism of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice (C57BL/6J) were divided into five groups according to diet and treatment: normal fat as the control group (12 % kJ content as fat), HF group (43 % kJ content as fat), HF + CLA (6 mg CLA/day), HF + calcium (12 g/kg of calcium) and HF with both compounds. Gene expression and methylation degree of CpG sites in promoter sequences of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, including adiponectin (Adipoq), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (Scd1) and fatty acid synthase (Fasn), were determined by bisulphite sequencing in liver and epididymal white adipose tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that the methylation profile of promoters was significantly altered by dietary supplementation in a gene- and tissue-specific manner, whereas only slight changes were observed in the HF group. Furthermore, changes in specific CpG sites were also associated with an overall healthier metabolic profile, in particular for calcium-receiving groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both CLA and calcium were able to modify the methylation pattern of genes involved in energy balance in adulthood, which opens a novel area for increasing efficiency in body weight management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology, University of the Balearic Islands and CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaplin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology, University of the Balearic Islands and CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Palma de Mallorca, Spain. andreu.palou@uib.es.
authors.forename: Andreu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology, University of the Balearic Islands and CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Serra
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D052436:Adipose Tissue, White / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D054890:Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; C499919:Adipoq protein, mouse; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C490333:Scd1 protein, mouse; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase; D054890:Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I
keywords: Adiponectin; Calcium supplementation; Conjugated linoleic acid; DNA methylation; Fatty acid synthase; Stearoyl-CoA desaturase