Exploring the boundaries between epigenetics and religiosity/spirituality: a systematic review.

IF 3.1 4区 医学 Q2 GENETICS & HEREDITY
Epigenomics Pub Date : 2026-08-01 Epub Date: 2026-08-04 DOI:10.1080/17501911.2026.2711569
Angélica Salatino-Oliveira, Joana Carmona Neuwald Celeste, Carolina Moronte Sturmer, Matheus de Medeiros Padilha, Leandro Nascimento Silveira, Yuri Bandeira Rodrigues de Souza, Luís Henrique Toledo da Silva, Francielly Dias Pereira, Emanuel Burck Dos Santos, Marianna de Abreu Costa
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Associations between religiosity/spirituality (R/S) and health are well documented, but underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This review examined epigenetic and related molecular pathways that may underlie these associations.

Methods: EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched through 8 January 2025. Eligible studies assessed at least one R/S variable, construct, or intervention and gene-expression-related outcomes, including DNA methylation (DNAm), histone modifications, microRNAs, noncoding RNAs, or protein-level changes. Results were narratively synthesized. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools.

Results: Thirty-six studies were included, totaling 43,671 participants. Nineteen were cross-sectional, 22 were conducted in the United States, 23 involved community populations, and 10 included clinical samples. Overall, 39 instruments or measurement approaches assessed R/S. Outcomes included inflammatory, stress-related, lipid-related, and gene-regulatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, cortisol, lipid profile, DNAm, and messenger RNA. Findings were heterogeneous, with consistent inverse associations for CRP and a tendency toward lower cortisol with higher R/S, while other outcomes were mixed.

Discussion: The evidence suggests a potential beneficial epigenetics influence of R/S. However, methodological weaknesses, heterogeneity, limited longitudinal evidence, and small samples limit interpretation. Future studies require prospective designs, standardized measures, large samples, and confounding control.

Protocol registration: www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero identifier is CRD42022327728.

探索表观遗传学与宗教性/精神性之间的界限:系统回顾。
背景:宗教信仰/灵性(R/S)与健康之间的关联已被充分记录,但其潜在机制仍知之甚少。这篇综述检查了表观遗传和相关的分子途径可能是这些关联的基础。方法:检索至2025年1月8日的EMBASE、PubMed、Web of Science和Scopus数据库。符合条件的研究评估了至少一个R/S变量、结构或干预措施和基因表达相关的结果,包括DNA甲基化(DNAm)、组蛋白修饰、microRNAs、非编码rna或蛋白质水平变化。对结果进行叙述性综合。使用Joanna Briggs研究所的工具评估偏倚风险。结果:纳入36项研究,共43,671名受试者。19项是横断面研究,22项在美国进行,23项涉及社区人群,10项包括临床样本。总共有39种仪器或测量方法评估了R/S。结果包括炎症、应激相关、脂质相关和基因调控标志物,包括c反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素-6、皮质醇、脂质谱、脱氧核糖核酸(DNAm)和信使RNA。研究结果是不一致的,CRP和低皮质醇倾向与高R/S呈一致的负相关,而其他结果则是混合的。讨论:有证据表明R/S具有潜在的有益表观遗传学影响。然而,方法学的弱点、异质性、有限的纵向证据和小样本限制了解释。未来的研究需要前瞻性设计、标准化测量、大样本和混杂控制。协议注册:www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero标识为CRD42022327728。
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来源期刊
Epigenomics
Epigenomics GENETICS & HEREDITY-
CiteScore
5.80
自引率
2.60%
发文量
95
审稿时长
>12 weeks
期刊介绍: Epigenomics provides the forum to address the rapidly progressing research developments in this ever-expanding field; to report on the major challenges ahead and critical advances that are propelling the science forward. The journal delivers this information in concise, at-a-glance article formats – invaluable to a time constrained community. Substantial developments in our current knowledge and understanding of genomics and epigenetics are constantly being made, yet this field is still in its infancy. Epigenomics provides a critical overview of the latest and most significant advances as they unfold and explores their potential application in the clinical setting.
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