Methylomic changes in response to micronutrient supplementation and MTHFR genotype

Exposure times and dosage required for dietary components to modify DNA methylation patterns are largely unknown.

This exploratory research represents the first genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation changes during a randomized-controlled-trial (RCT) for dietary supplementation with broad spectrum vitamins, minerals and amino acids in humans.

Genome-wide changes in methylation from paired, peripheral blood samples were assessed using the Infinium Methylation EPIC 850 K array.

Methylation increased at 84% of the most significant differentially methylated CpGs; however, none showed significance after adjustment for genome-wide testing.

Micronutrient supplementation is unlikely to have a substantial biological effect on DNA methylation over 10 weeks; however, the trend toward hypermethylation that we observed is likely to become more marked with longer exposure periods.