Premium
Association of Hepatic Global DNA Methylation and Serum One‐Carbon Metabolites with Histological Severity in Patients with NAFLD
Author(s) -
Lai Zhiwei,
Chen Junliang,
Ding Chenghe,
Wong Kwanshu,
Chen Xingyi,
Pu Liuzhen,
Huang Qiangwei,
Chen Xiaolin,
Cheng Zijian,
Liu Yan,
Tan Xuying,
Zhu Huilian,
Wang Lijun
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.22667
Subject(s) - steatosis , dna methylation , medicine , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , gastroenterology , methylation , fatty liver , homocysteine , overweight , endocrinology , body mass index , disease , biology , gene , gene expression , biochemistry
Objective Clinical relevance of global DNA methylation and one‐carbon metabolite levels with histological severity remains uncertain in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to evaluate hepatic global DNA methylation and serum one‐carbon metabolite concentrations in patients with NAFLD and the possible associations of these parameters with liver histology. Methods Liver biopsies from 18 control participants and 47 patients with NAFLD were evaluated. Results The hepatic global DNA methylation level was significantly lower in the NAFLD group than in the control group among participants with overweight. Participants with moderate inflammation and mild fibrosis had significantly lower levels of global DNA methylation than those without these characteristics. Participants with borderline nonalcoholic steatohepatitis had significantly lower global DNA methylation levels than controls. The hepatic global DNA methylation level tended to decrease with the increasing hepatic inflammation grade and disease progression. The NAFLD group had a significantly higher serum homocysteine concentration than the control group among participants with overweight. This level tended to increase with increasing hepatic steatosis grade and disease progression. Conclusions Patients with NAFLD exhibited lower hepatic levels of global DNA methylation and elevated serum homocysteine concentrations, which are associated with the histological severity of NAFLD.