Traditional Korean diet high in one-carbon nutrients increases global DNA methylation: implication for epigenetic diet

Eur J Nutr. 2024 Oct;63(7):2511-2519. doi: 10.1007/s00394-024-03442-7. Epub 2024 Jun 12.

Abstract

Purpose: DNA methylation is a major epigenetic phenomenon through which diet affects health and disease. This study aimed to determine the epigenetic influence of the traditional Korean diet (K-diet) on global DNA methylation via one-carbon metabolism.

Methods: A crossover study was conducted on 52 women. Two diets, a K-diet, high in plant foods and low in calories and animal fat, and a control diet, similar to the diet currently consumed in Korea, were provided to all subjects alternately for 4 weeks with a 4-week washout period. Clinical parameters were measured before and after each dietary intervention. Nutrient intake was calculated by using a computer-aided nutritional analysis program. One-carbon metabolites in the serum and global DNA methylation in peripheral mononuclear cells were determined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: The K-diet group consumed more folate (669.9 ± 6.7 µg vs. 502.7 ± 3.0, p < 0.001), B6, B12, serine, and choline, and less methionine (992.6 ± 63 vs. 1048.3 mg ± 34.1, p < 0.0001) than the control group did. In the K-diet group, the increment of plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (0.08 µg/mL ± 0.11 vs 0.02 ± 0.10, p < 0.009) and decrement of L-homocysteine (- 70.7 ± 85.0 vs - 39.3 ± 69.4, p < 0.0168) were greater than those of the control group. Global DNA methylation was significantly increased in the K-diet group (6.70 ± 3.02% to 9.45 ± 3.69, p < 0.0001) but not in the control group.

Conclusions: A K-diet high in one-carbon nutrients can enhance the global DNA methylation status, suggesting an epigenetic mechanism by which the K-diet conveys health effects. Trial registration Korean Clinical Trial Registry (trial number: KCT0005340, 24/08/2020, retrospectively registered).

Keywords: DNA methylation; Epigenetics; One-carbon metabolism; Traditional Korean diet.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carbon / metabolism
  • Choline / administration & dosage
  • Choline / blood
  • Cross-Over Studies*
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Diet* / methods
  • Diet* / statistics & numerical data
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Folic Acid* / blood
  • Humans
  • Methionine / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrients
  • Republic of Korea
  • Vitamin B 12 / blood
  • Vitamin B 6 / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin B 6 / blood

Substances

  • Folic Acid
  • Methionine
  • Choline
  • Carbon
  • Vitamin B 12
  • Vitamin B 6