Association of homocysteine with global DNA methylation in vegetarian Indian pregnant women and neonatal birth anthropometrics

Abstract

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate if plasma maternal folate, vitamin B-12 and homocysteine levels had an effect on maternal global DNA methylation and neonatal anthropometrics in Indian pregnant women.

Methods: A total of 49 participants having completed ≥36 weeks of pregnancy were enrolled in the study. Estimation of folate was by Ion capture assay, vitamin B-12 by microparticle enzyme immunoassay, total homocysteine by fluorescence polarization immunoassay and global DNA methylation using Cayman’s DNA methylation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit.

Results: Folate and vitamin B-12 were inversely correlated to homocysteine in pregnant women consuming vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet. No difference in global DNA methylation was found between the vegetarian and non-vegetarian pregnant women. Folate and vitamin B-12 did not show association with global DNA methylation, however plasma total homocysteine of the vegetarian group showed significant correlation to global DNA methylation (r²= 0.49, p = 0.011). Plasma total homocysteine was inversely related to tricep skinfold (r²= −0.484, p = 0.01) and chest circumference (r²= −0.104, p = 0.04) of neonates in vegetarian group.

Conclusion: Moderate vitamin B-12 deficiency in vegetarian pregnant women might be the cause of hyperhomocystinemia, hypermethylation when compared to vitamin B-12 sufficient non-vegetarian group.

• Hyperhomocystinemia
• hypermethylation
• S-adenosylhomocysteine
• S-adenosyl-methionine

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the research and medical staff at KEM Hospital Research Centre for sample collection. The valuable assistance of Ravi Thakre of Department of Biochemistry, KEM hospital is gratefully acknowledged.