Study on Prevalence of Global DNA Methylation Preceded Due to Malnutrition in School-age-Children of Bhopal and Adjoining Areas

Abnormality in global LINE-1 DNA methylation is directly related to risk of many serious disease. The DNA methylation pathways are affected by micronutrients which have methyl-donors and retinoids. Here we have investigated associations of malnutrition status and cross-sectional study to findout LINE-1 methylation in school-age children from Bhopal and adjoining areas. we have chosen a group of 600 school age children between age of 5-12 years. Global LINE-1 DNA methylation repetitive elements were quantified by using pyrosequencing technology. Furthermore, the investigation have been done to see the association of global LINE-1 DNA methylation with folic acid concentration, plasma vitamin B12, vitamin A ferritin and serum zinc concentrations using multivariable linear regression. Mean (SD) LINE-1 methylation was 80.25 (0.65) percentage of 5-mC ( %5-mC). LINE-1 methylation was inversely related to plasma vitamin A. After adjustment for potential confounders, children with retinol levels higher than or equal to 1.05 mol/L showed 0.19 % 5-mC lower LINE-1 methylation than children with retinol levels lower than 0.70 mol/L. LINE- 1 methylation was also inversely associated with C-reactive protein, a marker of chronic inflammation, and female sex. These associations were not found significantly different by sex. Modification of these factors during school-age years leads to changes in global DNA methylation warrants further investigation.