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Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies
Published on: May 6, 2022
Body mass index, diet, and exercise: testing possible linkages to breast cancer risk via DNA methylation
Arielle S Gillman1, Casey K Gardiner2, Claire E Koljack2
1Department of Psychology& Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Muenzinger D244, 345 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309-0345, USA. arielle.gillman@colorado.edu.
Purpose:
To examine DNA methylation as a mechanism linking diet, physical activity, weight status, and breast cancer risk.
Methods:
Insufficiently active women of varying weight status, without a history of cancer, completed a maximal exercise test, clinical measurement of height and weight, and a dietary intake measure. They also provided blood samples, which were analyzed to ascertain average methylation of candidate genes related to breast cancer (BRCA1, RUNX3, GALNT9, and PAX6) and inflammation (TLR4 and TLR6).
Results:
Elevated weight status (r = - .18, p < .05) and poorer aerobic fitness (r = .24, p < .01) were each associated with decreased methylation of inflammation genes. Methylation of inflammation genes statistically mediated the relationship between weight status and cancer gene methylation (standardized indirect effect = .12, p < .05) as well as between cardiorespiratory fitness and cancer gene methylation (standardized indirect effect = - .172, p < .01). However, recent dietary behavior was not associated with methylation of either inflammation or cancer genes.
Conclusions:
Both weight status and cardiovascular fitness are associated with methylation of genes associated with both inflammation and cancer. Methylation of inflammatory genes might serve as a mechanistic link between lifestyle factors and methylation changes in genes that increase risk for breast cancer.
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