Epigenetics and gestational diabetes: a review of epigenetic epidemiology studies and their use to explore epigenetic mediation and improve prediction.

ABSTRACT: Epigenetics encapsulates a group of molecular mechanisms including DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNAs (miRNAs). Gestational diabetes (GDM) increases the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and is associated with future offspring risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. It has been hypothesised that epigenetic mechanisms mediate an effect of GDM on offspring adiposity and type 2 diabetes and this could provide a modifiable mechanism to reduce type 2 diabetes in the next generation. Evidence for this hypothesis is lacking. Epigenetic epidemiology could also contribute to reducing type 2 diabetes by identifying biomarkers that accurately predict risk of GDM and its associated future adverse outcomes. We reviewed published human studies that explored associations between any of mat

SUBMITTER: Elliott HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6861541 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature