In today’s world we hear more and more about epigenetics and its impact on health.
While it used to be believed that hereditary factors were determinant in the development of a number of chronic diseases, now the role of epigenetic changes, which can strengthen or, on the contrary, weaken a person’s predisposition to disease, is coming to the forefront.
In this article, we will explore what epigenetics is, how it relates to chronic diseases, and what recent scientific discoveries are helping us to better understand this process.
What is epigenetics
Epigenetics studies changes in gene function that do not affect the DNA structure itself.
They can affect which genes are turned on or off at a particular point in time, while remaining reversible. The key epigenetic factors are:
- DNA methylation
- Histone modifications
- Non-coding RNAs (e.g. microRNAs)
All of these mechanisms play an important role in gene regulation.
Simply put, epigenetics is a “superstructure” over genes that helps an organism to adapt to external conditions and environment.
Table 1: Main differences between genetic and epigenetic changes
| Criterion | Genetic changes | Epigenetic changes |
|---|---|---|
| Level of change | Changes in the DNA sequence | Changes in the “packaging” of DNA or regulatory RNAs |
| Reversibility | Generally irreversible | Most often reversible or modifiable |
| Impact on inheritance | Can be inherited | They can be transmitted, but in many cases they are not |
| Example | A mutation in the BRCA1 gene | Methylation of a gene promoter that reduces its activity |
The role of epigenetic changes in the development of chronic diseases
Many chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and autoimmune disorders are associated with epigenetic factors.
These factors include:
- Lifestyle: nutrition, physical activity level, stress.
- Harmful habits: smoking, alcohol abuse.
- Environmental exposure: air pollution, chemicals at home and at work.
Epigenetic “marks” formed by lifestyle and environmental conditions can change the functioning of genes and, consequently, influence the development or course of disease.
Recent discoveries in epigenetics
Scientific research shows that epigenetic changes can be passed on to the next generation, although not as stably as genetic mutations.
Below are some new discoveries in this area:
- Application of CRISPR/Cas9 for epigenetic regulation: scientists have learned how to target enzymes that alter DNA methylation or acetylation to specific regions of the genome (Liu et al., 2016).
- Immune system research: epigenetic factors can influence the formation of autoimmune diseases by altering the activity of immune cells (Feinberg, 2018).
- Nutrition and epigenetics: certain foods (e.g. broccoli, green tea and turmeric) have been shown to have properties that influence epigenetic “tags” and reduce the risk of certain chronic pathologies (Johnson et al., 2017).
Table 2. Examples of factors that have an epigenetic effect on the organism
| Factor | Mechanism of action | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrients | Alter levels of DNA methylation and histone modification | Folic acid, B vitamins |
| Biologically active substances | Involved in the expression of anti-inflammatory genes | Polyphenols (green tea), curcumin |
| Physical activity | Improves the regulation of genes related to metabolism | Moderate regular exercise |
Clinical perspectives and practice guidelines
Given the rapid development of epigenetic research, new opportunities for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases are emerging. Some promising directions:
- Personalized medicine: determination of individual epigenetic profiles to select optimal treatments.
- Targeted drugs: development of molecules that block or enhance specific epigenetic signaling pathways.
- Lifestyle: introduction of proper nutrition and reasonable physical activity as a factor in changing the epigenetic “pattern” of genes.
For most people, healthy diet, avoidance of bad habits and regular physical activity remain the most affordable way to influence epigenetics.
Conclusions
Epigenetics opens new horizons in our understanding of the causes and mechanisms of chronic diseases.
This knowledge helps us not only to better understand the nature of diseases, but also to find more effective ways of prevention and treatment based on a personalized approach.
Although epigenetics research is still ongoing, its practical application is already yielding results that could change the way we think about our own health.
Important: this article is for informational purposes only. If you have any health problems, be sure to consult your doctor.
List of references
- Egger G, Liang G, Aparicio A, Jones PA. Epigenetics in human disease and prospects for epigenetic therapy. Nature. 2004;429(6990):457-63.
- Feinberg AP. The key role of epigenetics in human disease prevention and mitigation. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(14):1323-1334.
- Liu X, Wu Y, Zhou Q, et al. Targeted DNA demethylation and activation of silent gene loci by CRISPR/Cas9-based epigenetic editing. Clin Epigenetics. 2016;8:73.
- Johnson IT, Belshaw NJ. Environment, diet and methylation in cancers of the alimentary tract. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2017;1861(1):149-159.
- Waddington CH. The epigenotype. Endeavour. 1942;1:18–20.
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