DNA methylations of MC4R and HNF4α are associated with increased triglyceride levels in cord blood of preterm infants.

ABSTRACT: The association of preterm birth with obesity and metabolic syndrome later in life is well established. Although the biological mechanism for this association is poorly understood, epigenetic alterations of metabolic-related genes in early life may have important roles in metabolic dysfunction. Thus, we investigated the associations of DNA methylations of melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) with metabolic profiles in cord blood of term and preterm infants.We measured metabolic profiles in cord blood samples of 85 term and 85 preterm infants. DNA methylation and mRNA expression levels of MC4R and HNF4α in cord blood cells were quantified using pyrosequencing and real-time PCR. Triglyceride (TG) levels were grouped by percentile as low (<10th percenti

SUBMITTER: Kwon EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5008556 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature