Predictors of global methylation levels in blood DNA of healthy subjects: a combined analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Estimates of global DNA methylation from repetitive DNA elements, such as Alu and LINE-1, have been increasingly used in epidemiological investigations because of their relative low-cost, high-throughput and quantitative results. Nevertheless, determinants of these methylation measures in healthy individuals are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to examine whether age, gender, smoking habits, alcohol drinking and body mass index (BMI) are associated with Alu or LINE-1 methylation levels in blood leucocyte DNA of healthy individuals.

Methods

Individual data from five studies including a total of 1465 healthy subjects were combined. DNA methylation was quantified by PCR-pyrosequencing.

Results

Age [β = -0.011% of 5-methyl-cytosine (%5 mC)/year,

SUBMITTER: Zhu ZZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3304518 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature