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Review
. 2023 Jun 19:13:1169168.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1169168. eCollection 2023.

Metabolo-epigenetic interplay provides targeted nutritional interventions in chronic diseases and ageing

Affiliations
Review

Metabolo-epigenetic interplay provides targeted nutritional interventions in chronic diseases and ageing

Marta Gómez de Cedrón et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

Epigenetic modifications are chemical modifications that affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. In particular, epigenetic chemical modifications can occur on histone proteins -mainly acetylation, methylation-, and on DNA and RNA molecules -mainly methylation-. Additional mechanisms, such as RNA-mediated regulation of gene expression and determinants of the genomic architecture can also affect gene expression. Importantly, depending on the cellular context and environment, epigenetic processes can drive developmental programs as well as functional plasticity. However, misbalanced epigenetic regulation can result in disease, particularly in the context of metabolic diseases, cancer, and ageing. Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCD) and ageing share common features including altered metabolism, systemic meta-inflammation, dysfunctional immune system responses, and oxidative stress, among others. In this scenario, unbalanced diets, such as high sugar and high saturated fatty acids consumption, together with sedentary habits, are risk factors implicated in the development of NCCD and premature ageing. The nutritional and metabolic status of individuals interact with epigenetics at different levels. Thus, it is crucial to understand how we can modulate epigenetic marks through both lifestyle habits and targeted clinical interventions -including fasting mimicking diets, nutraceuticals, and bioactive compounds- which will contribute to restore the metabolic homeostasis in NCCD. Here, we first describe key metabolites from cellular metabolic pathways used as substrates to "write" the epigenetic marks; and cofactors that modulate the activity of the epigenetic enzymes; then, we briefly show how metabolic and epigenetic imbalances may result in disease; and, finally, we show several examples of nutritional interventions - diet based interventions, bioactive compounds, and nutraceuticals- and exercise to counteract epigenetic alterations.

Keywords: ageing; bioactive compounds; chronic diseases; epigenetics; metabolism.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Metabolic regulation of cytosine methylation. A family of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) catalyse the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenylmethionine (SAM) to the fifth carbon of cytosine residue to form 5-methylcytosine (5mC) producing S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH). The opposite process is carried out by ten-eleven-translocation (TET) proteins which use α-Ketoglutarate (α-KG) and Fe2+ as cofactors to generate 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). 5hmC can be further oxidised to form carbonylmethylcytosine (camC) and formylmethylcytosine (fmC), or glycosylated (not shown).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Main metabolic pathways can be implicated in the epigenetic remodelling include glycolysis, fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO), glutaminolysis and lactylation via derived metabolites and cofactors (lactate, acetyl-CoA, α-ketoglutarate or NAD+). G6P (glucose-6-phosphate); G3P (glycerol-3-P); Pyr (pyruvate); LDHA (lactate dehydrogenase A); PDH (pyruvate dehydrogenase); IDH1/IDH2 (isocitrate dehydrogenase 1, and 2) S-Adenosyl methionine (SAM); S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH); Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+); Nicotinamide adenine nucleotide reduced (NADH); Oxaloacetate acid (OAA).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Metabolic and epigenetic imbalances result in disease. There are several factors that can cause an epigenetic imbalance and consequently different diseases. Some of these factors are intrinsic including genetic variations such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) or DNA mutations caused by carcinogens and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS); environmental factors including metabolic alterations such as obesity or ageing and lifestyle (unbalanced diet or sedentary lifestyle). This epigenetic imbalance leads to cardiovascular, neurological and cancer diseases.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Unhealthy diets leading to epigenetic imbalances. Imbalanced or unhealthy diets have detrimental effects on systemic metabolic homeostasis. (A) High sugar diets increase glucose levels, which destabilise hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1A) and consequently inhibit the transcription of HIF. Conversely, when glucose levels are low, acetylation of the insulin gene is promoted to repress its transcription via the PDX1/HDAC interaction. (B) A high-fat diet inhibits gluconeogenesis in the liver and promotes insulin resistance. (C) Offspring can develop metabolic syndrome if high-fat diets are consumed during pregnancy. Pancreatic And Duodenal Homeobox 1 (PDX1); Histone deacetylases (HDACs); Histone acetyltransferases (HATs).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Interplay between epigenetics and microbiome. The host microbiome is influenced by the diet. Dietary fibre induces the production of shirt chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including β-hydroxybutyrate. This metabolite is an HDAC inhibitor that prevents the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). In addition, β-hydroxybutyrate stimulates mitochondrial function and biogenesis, which protects against obesity and insulin resistance. Histone deacetylases (HDACs); Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS); fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Protective diets to restore epigenetic imbalances. Metabolic diseases caused by epigenetic imbalances can be controlled by protective diets. Caloric restriction increases NAD+ levels by increasing lipolysis and decreasing glucose availability. This increase in the NAD+ leads to the activation of HATs and subsequent deacetylation. Fasting is associated with increased production of ketone bodies which is related to the inhibition of class I HDACs. Finally, a vegan diet is associated with reduced levels of methionine and SAM which leads to hypomethylation of some genes. All these diets may help to counteract chronic and age-related diseases. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM); Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+); Histone deacetylases (HDACs); sirtuin (SIRT); Histone acetyltransferases (HATs).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Exercise and epigenetic regulation. During exercise, skeletal muscle produces metabolites such as serine, pyruvate and lactate, which have effects on epigenetics. Serine promotes methylation while pyruvate and lactate have an influence on acetylation. Acetyl-CoA produced from pyruvate enters the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle where key intermediates such as citrate, succinate or fumarate are synthesised. In addition, the ACYL enzyme can produce Ac-CoA and oxaloacetate from citrate and promote hyperacetylation by interacting with HATs. Furthermore, ketone bodies can be formed from acetyl-CoA and participate in HDACs inhibition. Histone acetyl transferases (HATs); Histone deacetylases (HDACs); Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH).

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Grants and funding

This research was funded by grants to AdM from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Spain (PID2019-110183RB-C21), Ramon Areces Foundation (CIVP19A5937) and Regional Government of Community of Madrid (P2018/BAA-4343-ALIBIRD2020-CM and NutriSION-CM Y2020/BIO-6350), REACT EU Program (FACINGLCOVID-CM project, Comunidad de Madrid and The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) European Union), and EU Structural Funds.

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