Nutriepigenomics and Malnutrition

Abstract

Epigenetics is defined as the modulation of gene expression without changes to the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic alterations, as a consequence of in utero malnutrition, may play a role in susceptibility to develop adulthood diseases and inheritance. However, the mechanistic link between epigenetic modifications and abnormalities in nutrition remains elusive. This review provides an update on the association of suboptimal nutritional environment and the high propensity to produce adult-onset chronic illnesses with a particular focus on modifications in genome functions that occur without alterations to the DNA sequence. We will mention the drivers of the phenotype and pattern of epigenetic markers set down during the reprogramming along with novel preventative and therapeutic strategies. New knowledge of epigenetic alterations is opening a gate toward personalized medicine.

Keywords::

• carbohydrate metabolism
• cholesterol metabolism
• epigenetic therapy
• lipid metabolism
• malnutrition
• metabolic diseases
• nutrigenomics
• nutritional intervention
• polyphenols

Acknowledgements

The authors thank S Spahis for her technical assistance.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by a grant from the Institute of Cancer Research of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in collaboration with C17 Council, Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Research Society, Garron Family Cancer Centre at the Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and the JA DeSeve Research Chair in Nutrition. 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.

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the Institute of Cancer Research of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in collaboration with C17 Council, Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Research Society, Garron Family Cancer Centre at the Hospital for Sick Children, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and the JA DeSeve Research Chair in Nutrition. 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.No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.