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Diabetologia
Published in: Diabetologia 11/2014

01-11-2014 | Article

Global DNA methylation levels in human adipose tissue are related to fat distribution and glucose homeostasis

Authors: Maria Keller, Susan Kralisch, Kerstin Rohde, Dorit Schleinitz, Arne Dietrich, Michael R. Schön, Daniel Gärtner, Tobias Lohmann, Miriam Dreßler, Anke Tönjes, Michael Stumvoll, Peter Kovacs, Mathias Fasshauer, Matthias Blüher, Yvonne Böttcher

Published in: Diabetologia | Issue 11/2014

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Abstract

Aims/hypothesis

Epigenetic alterations may influence the metabolic pathways involved in human obesity. We hypothesised that global DNA methylation levels in adipose tissue might be associated with obesity and related phenotypes.

Methods

We measured global DNA methylation levels in paired samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and omental visceral adipose tissue (OVAT) from 51 individuals, and in leucocytes from 559 Sorbs, a population from Germany, using LUminometric Methylation Assay (LUMA). To further investigate the underlying mechanisms of the observed associations, we measured global methylation levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to glucose, insulin and lipids.

Results

Global methylation levels (±SD) were significantly higher in OVAT (74.27% ± 2.2%) compared with SAT (71.97% ± 2.4%; paired t test, p < 1 × 10−9). Furthermore, global methylation levels in SAT were positive correlates of measures of fat distribution (waist measurement, WHR) and glucose homeostasis (HbA1c) (all p < 0.015 after accounting for multiple testing and covariates). Global methylation levels in the German Sorb cohort were associated with glucose homeostasis, but this association did not withstand adjustment for covariates. Exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to insulin, palmitate and glucose decreased global methylation levels 1 h after treatment relative to controls.

Conclusions/interpretation

Our data suggest that the variability in global methylation in adipose tissue might be related to alterations in glucose metabolism.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Global DNA methylation levels in human adipose tissue are related to fat distribution and glucose homeostasis
Authors
Maria Keller
Susan Kralisch
Kerstin Rohde
Dorit Schleinitz
Arne Dietrich
Michael R. Schön
Daniel Gärtner
Tobias Lohmann
Miriam Dreßler
Anke Tönjes
Michael Stumvoll
Peter Kovacs
Mathias Fasshauer
Matthias Blüher
Yvonne Böttcher
Publication date
01-11-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Diabetologia / Issue 11/2014
Print ISSN: 0012-186X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0428
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-014-3356-z

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