Epigenetic Effects of Nutrients and the Promise for Refined Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Abstract

It is clear that dietary factors can induce epigenetic changes - i.e. can alter patterns of DNA methylation and histone posttranslational modifications in the genome. At least part of the epigenetic effects elicited by diet in infants may result in long-lasting changes in gene expression within an individual's lifetime and, at least in animal models, transgen- erationally. Therefore, these epigenetic modifications can be regarded as early molecular events of potentially critical relevance to vascular disease prevention. A comprehensive description of dietary factor-induced changes in the epige- nome - including both protective and risk-generating factors - is needed to appreciate the extent and relevance of these early molecular events. A second critical goal yet to be achieved is the description of the epigenome of cell types partici- pating in atherogenesis. By combining these two approaches, research promises to generate information that can be trans- lated into improved vascular disease prevention. Here, we review recent advances in the field of epigenetics, dietary fac- tors and vascular disease.