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DNA Methylation in Atherosclerosis: A New Perspective
Insights
DNA methylation plays a key role in atherosclerosis (AS), a major cause of death. Chinese herbal medicines show promise in treating AS by regulating aberrant DNA methylation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis (AS) is the primary pathological basis for cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of human mortality.
- DNA methylation, a critical epigenetic mechanism, significantly influences gene transcription and expression, playing a pivotal role in AS pathogenesis.
- Aberrant DNA methylation (hypomethylation and hypermethylation) contributes to endothelial dysfunction, macrophage inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, plaque instability, and thrombosis in AS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the intricate relationship between DNA methylation and the development of atherosclerosis.
- To review the therapeutic potential of Chinese herbal medicines in modulating aberrant DNA methylation for AS treatment.
- To highlight targeting DNA methylation as a promising strategy for AS prevention and cure.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on studies investigating DNA methylation in atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of research on the effects of Chinese herbal medicines on DNA methylation patterns in AS.
- Synthesis of evidence linking epigenetic modifications to AS pathology and treatment.
Main Results:
- Aberrant DNA methylation is a significant contributor to key pathological processes in atherosclerosis.
- Chinese herbal medicines, encompassing single compounds and formulations, demonstrate efficacy in regulating aberrant DNA methylation in AS.
- Modulation of DNA methylation by herbal medicines offers a potential therapeutic avenue for AS.
Conclusions:
- DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic regulator in atherosclerosis, with aberrant patterns driving disease progression.
- Chinese herbal medicines represent a viable therapeutic strategy for AS by targeting and correcting aberrant DNA methylation.
- Targeting DNA methylation holds significant promise for the future prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract:
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, in which atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathologic basis, are currently the primary diseases leading to human deaths. Emerging evidence showed that DNA methylation, which could affect the transcription and expression of critical regulatory genes, has key roles in AS. Aberrant DNA methylation including aberrant hypomethylation and hypermethylation plays key roles in endothelial-cell dysfunction, macrophage inflammation, abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, plaque rupture, and thrombosis in AS. Chinese herbal medicines, including single compounds and formulations, showed light on the treatment of AS through regulating the aberrant DNA methylation in AS. Targeting the aberrant DNA methylation may be one of the most important treatment strategies in the cure and prevention of AS. In this review, we focus on the relationship between DNA methylation and AS, as well as the beneficial effects of Chinese herbal medicines on DNA methylation in AS.
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