The association between first trimester micronutrient intake, MTHFR genotypes, and global DNA methylation in pregnant women

Abstract

Objective. Our aim was to evaluate possible associations between consumption of micronutrients involved in one-carbon metabolism, MTHFR genotypes, and global DNA methylation in pregnant women.

Methods. A semi-quantitative dietary questionnaire was administered to 195 women during their first trimester in Morelos, Mexico. Two functional polymorphisms of the key folate-metabolizing gene, i.e. MTHFR 677 C>T and 1298 A>C, as well as global DNA methylation were assessed in peripheral blood drawn during the interview.

Results. Independent of maternal age and caloric intake, vitamin B₆ deficiency was associated with 1.8 fold increased risk of hypomethylation in women carrying the MTHFR 677 T allele.

Conclusions. There exists a subpopulation that is more susceptible to B vitamin deficiencies.

Keywords::

• Vitamin B6
• epigenetics
• one carbon metabolism
• MTHFR 677
• micronutrient deficiency

Acknowledgements

This research was granted by the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (31034-M; 41708; 13915), the Mount Sinai International Training and Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (ITREOH) of the Fogarty International Center (D43 TW00640), the Research Training Program in Environmental Pediatrics of the National Institutes of Health (T32HD049311), and the Children's Environmental Health Pilot Project Grant Program of the Mount Sinai Children's Environmental Health Center.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.