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Effect of maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation on global and gene‐specific DNA methylation in the liver of the rat offspring
Author(s) -
Sie Karen K. Y.,
Li Jennifer,
Ly Anna,
Sohn KyoungJin,
Croxford Ruth,
Kim YoungIn
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201200186
Subject(s) - dna methylation , offspring , weaning , methylation , biology , endocrinology , medicine , pregnancy , folic acid supplementation , lactation , gene , biochemistry , gene expression , genetics
Scope Intrauterine and early‐life exposure to folic acid has significantly increased in N orth A merica owing to folic acid fortification, widespread supplemental use, and periconceptional supplementation. We investigated the effect of maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation on DNA methylation in the rat offspring. Methods and results Female rats were placed on a control or folic acid‐supplemented diet during pregnancy and lactation. At weaning, pups from each maternal diet group were randomized to the control or supplemented diet for 11 weeks. At weaning, maternal folic acid supplementation significantly decreased global ( p < 0.001) and site‐specific DNA methylation of the P par‐γ , ER ‐α , p53, and A pc genes ( p < 0.05) in the liver. At 14 weeks of age, postweaning, but not maternal, folic acid supplementation significantly decreased global DNA methylation ( p < 0.05). At 14 weeks of age, both maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation significantly increased DNA methylation of the P par‐γ , p53 , and p16 genes ( p < 0.05) whereas only postweaning FA supplementation significantly increased DNA methylation of the ER ‐α and A pc genes ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Our data suggest that maternal and postweaning folic acid supplementation can significantly modulate global and gene‐specific DNA methylation in the rat offspring. The functional ramifications of the observed DNA methylation changes need to be determined in future studies.