DNA methylation analysis of proinflammatory genes in patients affected with type 2 diabetes

According to epidemiological studies, around 1.5 million individuals in Iran are affectedby diabetes and between 14.5 to 25.5 % of the population suffer from impaired glucose tolerance. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and decreased the production of insulin in pancreatic β-cells, which consequently lead to reduced glucose transport into adipose tissue, the liver, and muscle cells. Obesity is strongly associated with the prevalence of T2D. It is currently well-accepted that obesity induces a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, which is reflected by an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Increasing data suggest that numerous cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-6, could contribute to the development of T2D through their detrimental effect on the insulin signaling pathway and β-cell function. In the present study, we used bisulfite conversion of DNA and quantitative techniques to examine the changes in DNA methylation patterns of regulatory regions in inflammatory genes namely IL1β in three groups with different plasma glucose levels. Statistical analysis was performed by using Prism7 and Plasmid editor . Compared with control subjects, T2D patients, and pre-diabetic showed significantly lower levels of DNA methylation in IL1β.Inflammation. However, no significant change was observed in methylation in comparison with pre-diabetic diabetics with diabetes. Based on these results, methylation pattern changes could be used to evaluate the progression of type 2 diabetes

Keywords:

Diabetes , Epigenetics , Pro-inflammatory genes , Methylation