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Methodology for Accurate Detection of Mitochondrial DNA Methylation
Published on: May 20, 2018
Breastfeeding predicts blood mitochondrial DNA content in adolescents
Charlotte Cosemans1, Tim S Nawrot1,2, Bram G Janssen1
1Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Insights
Breastfeeding is associated with higher mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in adolescents, potentially explaining long-term metabolic benefits. Longer breastfeeding duration showed a dose-response relationship with increased mtDNA levels.
Area of Science:
- Human Metabolism
- Developmental Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Early childhood nutrition significantly influences metabolic programming.
- Breastfeeding is a key factor in infant nutrition with potential long-term health implications.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content is a marker of cellular energy metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term association between breastfeeding and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in adolescents.
- To explore if breastfeeding duration correlates with mtDNA levels in later life.
- To understand the potential role of mtDNA in mediating the metabolic effects of breastfeeding.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHSIII) cohort.
- Inclusion of 303 adolescents aged 14-15 years.
- Statistical association between breastfeeding status/duration and blood mtDNA content, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Adolescents who were breastfed had 23.1% higher blood mtDNA content compared to non-breastfed peers.
- A dose-response relationship was observed: longer breastfeeding durations (11-20 weeks and >20 weeks) were associated with significantly higher mtDNA content.
- Even shorter breastfeeding periods (1-10 weeks) showed a trend towards increased mtDNA content.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding is positively associated with higher mitochondrial DNA content in adolescents.
- The duration of breastfeeding appears to influence the extent of this association.
- Elevated mtDNA content may represent a biological mechanism underlying the sustained metabolic advantages of breastfeeding.
Abstract:
Nutrition during early childhood is linked to metabolic programming. We hypothesized that breastfeeding has long-term consequences on the energy metabolism exemplified by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). As part of the third cycle of the Flemish Environment and Health Study (FLEHSIII) cohort, 303 adolescents aged 14-15 years were included. We associated breastfeeding and blood mtDNA content 14-15 years later while adjusting for confounding variables. Compared with non-breastfed adolescents, mtDNA content was 23.1% (95%CI: 4.4-45.2; p = 0.013) higher in breastfed adolescents. Being breastfed for 1-10 weeks, 11-20 weeks, and >20 weeks, was associated with a higher mtDNA content of respectively 16.0% (95%CI: -7.1-44.9; p = 0.191), 23.5% (95%CI: 0.8-51.3; p = 0.042), and 31.5% (95%CI: 4.3-65.7; p = 0.021). Our study showed a positive association between breastfeeding and mtDNA content in adolescents which gradually increased with longer periods of breastfeeding. Higher mtDNA content may be an underlying mechanism of the beneficial effects of breastfeeding on children's metabolism.
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