Role of Epigenetic Modifications Mediated by Vitamins and Trace Elements in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Graphical abstract

Numerous environmental factors frequently emerge as primary determinants of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diet is a major component of environmental factors, and the consumption of vitamins (A, B, C and D) and trace elements (calcium, iron, zinc and selenium) exerts an impact on the progression of IBD through epigenetic modifications. Intake of vitamins A, B, C and D, as well as excessive amounts of iron and calcium, can modulate the condition of IBD by regulating the levels of DNA methylation, histone acetylation and miRNA. Zinc and selenium alleviate the progression of IBD by regulating the levels of promoter methylation or histone ubiquitination, respectively.

Graphical Abstract was adapted from ‘Epigenetic levels (layout)’, by BioRender.com. Retrieved from https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates.

Tweetable abstract

This work explored the role of vitamins and trace elements in the epigenetics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study investigated vitamins A, B, C, D, zinc and selenium and their impact on IBD via epigenetic changes. Valuable insights for nutrition, treatment and prevention strategies are provided.

Keywords::

• epigenetic modifications
• IBD
• inflammatory bowel disease
• trace elements
• vitamins

Author contributions

The authors certify that each coauthor listed on this page participated sufficiently in the work to take responsibility for the content and that all those who qualify are listed. As the first author, H Liu completed the conception and writing of the article. The completion of this editorial owes a great deal to the contributions of N Lu and M Cui. in the analysis of literature. The manuscript was significantly enhanced by the valuable suggestions and feedback provided by M Zhang and Z Yu.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine for providing the writing environment and facilities.

Financial disclosure

The work was supported by the Shaanxi Province Key Research and Development Program (2022JM502, 2023-YBSF-072), Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province (2022JQ-980), Provincial Health Research Foundation in Shaanxi Province (2022E008) and Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Techniques & Rapid Rehabilitation of Digestive System Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou, PR China (21SZDSYS16, 21SZDSY10). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.