Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation Mediates Offspring Health via DNA Methylation. 2020

Huan-Yu Liu, and Song-Mei Liu, and Yuan-Zhen Zhang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430071, China.

The clinical significance of periconceptional folic acid supplementation (FAS) in the prevention of neonatal neural tube defects (NTDs) has been recognized for decades. Epidemiological data and experimental findings have consistently been indicating an association between folate deficiency in the first trimester of pregnancy and poor fetal development as well as offspring health (i.e., NTDs, isolated orofacial clefts, neurodevelopmental disorders). Moreover, compelling evidence has suggested adverse effects of folate overload during perinatal period on offspring health (i.e., immune diseases, autism, lipid disorders). In addition to several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes related to folate one-carbon metabolism (FOCM), folate concentrations in maternal serum/plasma/red blood cells must be considered when counseling FAS. Epigenetic information encoded by 5-methylcytosines (5mC) plays a critical role in fetal development and offspring health. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a methyl donor for 5mC, could be derived from FOCM. As such, folic acid plays a double-edged sword role in offspring health via mediating DNA methylation. However, the underlying epigenetic mechanism is still largely unclear. In this review, we summarized the link across DNA methylation, maternal FAS, and offspring health to provide more evidence for clinical guidance in terms of precise FAS dosage and time point. Future studies are, therefore, required to set up the reference intervals of folate concentrations at different trimesters of pregnancy for different populations and to clarify the epigenetic mechanism for specific offspring diseases.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011297 Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects The consequences of exposing the FETUS in utero to certain factors, such as NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA; PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; DRUGS; RADIATION; and other physical or chemical factors. These consequences are observed later in the offspring after BIRTH. Delayed Effects, Prenatal Exposure,Late Effects, Prenatal Exposure
D005260 Female Females
D005492 Folic Acid A member of the vitamin B family that stimulates the hematopoietic system. It is present in the liver and kidney and is found in mushrooms, spinach, yeast, green leaves, and grasses (POACEAE). Folic acid is used in the treatment and prevention of folate deficiencies and megaloblastic anemia. Pteroylglutamic Acid,Vitamin M,Folacin,Folate,Folic Acid, (D)-Isomer,Folic Acid, (DL)-Isomer,Folic Acid, Calcium Salt (1:1),Folic Acid, Monopotassium Salt,Folic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Folic Acid, Potassium Salt,Folic Acid, Sodium Salt,Folvite,Vitamin B9,B9, Vitamin
D005494 Folic Acid Deficiency A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of FOLIC ACID in the diet. Many plant and animal tissues contain folic acid, abundant in green leafy vegetables, yeast, liver, and mushrooms but destroyed by long-term cooking. Alcohol interferes with its intermediate metabolism and absorption. Folic acid deficiency may develop in long-term anticonvulsant therapy or with use of oral contraceptives. This deficiency causes anemia, macrocytic anemia, and megaloblastic anemia. It is indistinguishable from vitamin B 12 deficiency in peripheral blood and bone marrow findings, but the neurologic lesions seen in B 12 deficiency do not occur. (Merck Manual, 16th ed) Deficiency, Folic Acid,Acid Deficiencies, Folic,Acid Deficiency, Folic,Deficiencies, Folic Acid,Folic Acid Deficiencies
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D044127 Epigenesis, Genetic A genetic process by which the adult organism is realized via mechanisms that lead to the restriction in the possible fates of cells, eventually leading to their differentiated state. Mechanisms involved cause heritable changes to cells without changes to DNA sequence such as DNA METHYLATION; HISTONE modification; DNA REPLICATION TIMING; NUCLEOSOME positioning; and heterochromatization which result in selective gene expression or repression. Epigenetic Processes,Epigenetic Process,Epigenetics Processes,Genetic Epigenesis,Process, Epigenetic,Processes, Epigenetic,Processes, Epigenetics
D047109 Fetal Development Morphological and physiological development of FETUSES. Fetal Programming,Fetal Growth,Development, Fetal,Fetal Programmings,Growth, Fetal
D019175 DNA Methylation Addition of methyl groups to DNA. DNA methyltransferases (DNA methylases) perform this reaction using S-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE as the methyl group donor. DNA Methylations,Methylation, DNA,Methylations, DNA

Related Publications

Huan-Yu Liu, and Song-Mei Liu, and Yuan-Zhen Zhang
January 2023, The Journal of nutrition,
Huan-Yu Liu, and Song-Mei Liu, and Yuan-Zhen Zhang
March 2024, Nutrients,
Huan-Yu Liu, and Song-Mei Liu, and Yuan-Zhen Zhang
April 2013, Molecular nutrition & food research,
Huan-Yu Liu, and Song-Mei Liu, and Yuan-Zhen Zhang
September 2018, The Journal of craniofacial surgery,
Huan-Yu Liu, and Song-Mei Liu, and Yuan-Zhen Zhang
March 2018, Molecular neurobiology,
Huan-Yu Liu, and Song-Mei Liu, and Yuan-Zhen Zhang
June 2018, International journal of epidemiology,
Huan-Yu Liu, and Song-Mei Liu, and Yuan-Zhen Zhang
November 2018, International urology and nephrology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!