Journal: Gastroenterology and Hepatology From Bed to Bench

Article Title: The epigenetic influence of diet-induced gut microbiome changes in precision nutrition – a systematic review

doi: 10.22037/ghfbb.v18i3.3136

Figure Lengend Snippet: Epigenetic Changes in Gene Expression — This figure illustrates two key epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression: DNA methylation and histone modifications. DNA methylation involves the addition of methyl groups to the promoter region of a gene, inhibiting transcription and leading to gene silencing. Histone modifications, including acetylation and methylation, alter chromatin structure and gene accessibility; acetylation relaxes chromatin, promoting gene activation, while methylation can either enhance or suppress transcription depending on its context. These epigenetic modifications are dynamic and influenced by environmental factors, such as diet, with implications for metabolism, inflammation, and disease susceptibility.

Article Snippet: Sun, et al. (21) , DNA methylation analysis (DREAM sequencing, bisulfite pyrosequencing, qRT-PCR) in a microbiota-inflammation model. , Difficulty separating inflammation’s role in epigenetic changes. , Microbiota and inflammation influenced DNA methylation at CpG sites. , DNA methylation at CpG sites. , Not assessed. , Multi-model approach, deep-sequencing of methylation changes. , Moderate , 2023.

Techniques: Gene Expression, DNA Methylation Assay, Methylation, Activation Assay

Journal: Gastroenterology and Hepatology From Bed to Bench

Article Title: The epigenetic influence of diet-induced gut microbiome changes in precision nutrition – a systematic review

doi: 10.22037/ghfbb.v18i3.3136

Figure Lengend Snippet: Epigenetic Modifications in Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention – This figure illustrates the impact of diet-induced changes in gut microbiome composition on epigenetic modifications and their subsequent effects on metabolic health. The dietary components, such as fiber-rich, polyphenol-rich, and high-fat diets, are shown to influence microbiome diversity and promote the production of metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which modulate epigenetic markers (e.g., DNA methylation, histone modifications) and gene expression related to inflammation, metabolism, and disease susceptibility. Diets rich in fiber and polyphenols are associated with beneficial microbiome shifts and favorable epigenetic modifications that support metabolic health and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases like obesity and insulin resistance. In contrast, Western-style diets high in fat and processed foods contribute to dysbiosis, inflammation, and adverse epigenetic changes, which may increase the risk of developing chronic metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Article Snippet: Sun, et al. (21) , DNA methylation analysis (DREAM sequencing, bisulfite pyrosequencing, qRT-PCR) in a microbiota-inflammation model. , Difficulty separating inflammation’s role in epigenetic changes. , Microbiota and inflammation influenced DNA methylation at CpG sites. , DNA methylation at CpG sites. , Not assessed. , Multi-model approach, deep-sequencing of methylation changes. , Moderate , 2023.

Techniques: DNA Methylation Assay, Gene Expression, Western Blot

Journal: Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research

Article Title: Hypermethylation of proopiomelanocortin and period 2 genes in blood are associated with greater subjective and behavioral motivation for alcohol in humans

doi: 10.1111/acer.13932

Figure Lengend Snippet: PER2 (A) and POMC gene expression (B) and PER2 (C) and POMC gene methylation (D, E) levels in each of the three drinking groups are shown. Gene expression levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Gene methylation levels were measured by methylation specific PCR (MSP) and was represented as relative DNA methylation (C & D). POMC DNA methylation was additionally verified by pyrosequencing of the methylated DNA within the promoter area of the gene (Fig. E), Pyrosequencing assay for PER2 was not successful possibly because of high density of CpG residue. Data are represented as Mean ± SEM. Number of samples in each group is shown between brackets under the group heading on the X axis or within the figures. Statistically significant differences between groups are shown by lines with p values on the top of bar graphs.

Article Snippet: Human highly methylated and low methylated control DNA (Epigen DX, Worcester MA) were subjected to bisulfite conversion and were used for preparing the standard curve. qRT-PCR was performed using SYBR green master mix with specific primers and bisulfite converted DNA as template. qRT-PCR was performed using a program at 95°C for 5 min followed by 50 cycles of 95°C for 30sec, 60°C for 1min, 72°C for 1 min.

Techniques: Expressing, Methylation, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, Quantitative RT-PCR, DNA Methylation Assay, Pyrosequencing Assay