Effects of malnutrition in infancy on DNA methylation in the prenatal period
Effects of malnutrition in infancy on DNA methylation in the prenatal period
Razieh Sedighfar,1Ghadir Fallahi,2Erfan Khodadi Fard,3Fatemeh Yousefi,4Mina Mohammadi Nia,5Hossein Boostani Zade,6,*
1. Student Research Committee, Varastegan University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 2. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. 3. Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. 4. Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. 5. Student Research committee, Varastegan University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 6. Faculty of Paramedicine, Department of medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Science, Bushehr, Iran.
Introduction: Methylation is a complex molecular mechanism that regulates the course of numerous biochemical processes that are responsible for the correct reading of the genetic information stored in DNA, maintains the stability of the genome, and controls the process of gene transfer. Methylation is one of the epigenetic processes that is not related to changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA. While epigenetic changes occur at any stage of life and can be inherited, they are influenced by external factors, such as: lifestyle (in particular, diet, weight disorders and physical activity), as well as drugs and substances. Toxic, they change. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism to modulate gene expression, which is involved in cell differentiation and tissue organization, and can be used as a predictor of future disease risks.
Methods: In the upcoming systematic review, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and ProQuest databases were used to cite and collect studies. These studies were collected and used using keywords during the years 2018-2022. A total of 19 articles were analyzed.
Results: The composition, structure, and function of the brain depend on the availability of appropriate nutrients, including lipids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, endogenous gut hormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, and gut microbiota are directly influenced by dietary composition. Therefore, food quality is effective on brain function and as a result mental health, mood and cognitive function. For example, studies have implicated maternal dietary factors and the first days after birth in the risk of behavioral and emotional problems in children. Increased intake of unhealthy foods and decreased intake of nutrient-dense foods in early childhood were independently associated with internalizing and externalizing behaviors in young children. These behaviors are early indicators of secondary mental health problems. Additionally, children whose mothers had consumed more unhealthy foods during pregnancy showed higher levels of externalizing behaviors.
DNA methylation regulates the temporal and spatial patterns of transcription in response to internal and external signals and plays an important role in cell differentiation and tissue organization during general and neurodevelopment. Experiments showed that arsenic and cadmium interact with DNA methyltransferases. Also, exposure to environmental chemicals such as heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls causes developmental disorders in neurological functions.
Conclusion: In conclusion, early life nutritional exposure plays a role in modulating early vulnerability factors for mental health problems in children. Good dietary practices are important for mental health as well as physical health throughout life. Thus, it is likely that the combined effect of genome-wide DNA methylation changes, with a limited contribution from each specific locus, translates into an epigenetic risk architecture that can, in association with additional factors, affect subsequent long-term physical and mental health. In childhood malnutrition ideally, the focus should be on optimal energy status in relation to overall food intake, activity and body composition. However, if improving food intake and activity is impossible, as may be the case in older adults, the focus should be on key nutrients related to epigenomics and cognition, including those involved in DNA methylation, DNA repair, histone modifications, and ncRNA function are related. . However, more research is needed in this area.