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European Journal of Nutrition
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition 1/2019

01-02-2019 | Original Contribution

The impact of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on DNA methylation of obesity-related genes in mothers and their children

Authors: Sanna Vähämiko, Asta Laiho, Riikka Lund, Erika Isolauri, Seppo Salminen, Kirsi Laitinen

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

Dietary supplementation with probiotics during pregnancy has been suggested to decrease the risk for obesity in women after delivery and to minimize excessive weight gain in their children. Epigenetic DNA methylation has been proposed to impact on gene activity, thereby providing a plausible molecular mechanism for a broad range of biological processes and diseases. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether probiotic supplementation during pregnancy could modify the DNA methylation status of the promoters of obesity and weight gain-related genes in mothers and their children.

Methods

A sample of 15 pregnant women was taken from a prospective, randomized mother and infant nutrition and probiotic study. Seven women received the probiotic supplementation and eight served as controls. The women’s and their children’s DNA methylation status of obesity (623 genes) and weight gain-related (433) gene promoters were analyzed from blood samples at the mean of 9.8 months (range 6.1–12.7 months) postpartum.

Results

Probiotic supplementation led to significantly decreased levels of DNA methylation in 37 gene promoters and increased levels of DNA methylation in one gene promoter in women. In their children, 68 gene promoters were significantly affected consistently with a lower level of DNA methylation in the probiotic group.

Conclusions

On the basis of our pilot study, we suggest that probiotic supplementation during pregnancy may affect the DNA methylation status of certain promoters of obesity and weight gain-related genes both in mothers and their children, thereby providing a potential mechanism for long-lasting health effects.
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Metadata
Title
The impact of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on DNA methylation of obesity-related genes in mothers and their children
Authors
Sanna Vähämiko
Asta Laiho
Riikka Lund
Erika Isolauri
Seppo Salminen
Kirsi Laitinen
Publication date
01-02-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1601-1

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