Low-level environmental cadmium exposure is associated with DNA hypomethylation in Argentinean women.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cadmium, a common food pollutant, alters DNA methylation in vitro. Epigenetic effects might therefore partly explain cadmium's toxicity, including its carcinogenicity; however, human data on epigenetic effects are lacking.

Objective

We evaluated the effects of dietary cadmium exposure on DNA methylation, considering other environmental exposures, genetic predisposition, and gene expression.

Methods

Concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, selenium, and zinc in blood and urine of nonsmoking women (n = 202) from the northern Argentinean Andes were measured by inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Methylation in CpG islands of LINE-1 (long interspersed nuclear element-1; a proxy for global DNA methylation) and promoter regions of p16 [cyclin-dependent kinase inhib

SUBMITTER: Hossain MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3385444 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature