A bibliometric analysis of DNA methylation in cardiovascular diseases from 2001 to 2021

DNA methylation is a dynamically reversible form of epigenetics. Dynamic regulation plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, there have been few bibliometric studies in this field. We aimed to visualize the research results and hotspots of DNA methylation in CVDs using a bibliometric analysis to provide a scientific direction for future research.

Publications related to DNA methylation in CVDs from January 1, 2001, to September 15, 2021, were searched and confirmed from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace 5.7 and VOSviewer 1.6.15 were used for bibliometric and knowledge-map analyses.

A total of 2617 publications were included in 912 academic journals by 15,584 authors from 963 institutions from 85 countries/regions. Among them, the United States of America, China, and England were the top 3 countries contributing to the field of DNA methylation. Harvard University, Columbia University, and University of Cambridge were the top 3 contributing institutions in terms of publications and were closely linked. PLoS One was the most published and co-cited journal. Baccarelli Andrea A published the most content, while Barker DJP had the highest frequency of co-citations. The keyword cluster focused on the mechanism, methyl-containing substance, exposure/risk factor, and biomarker. In terms of research hotspots, references with strong bursts, which are still ongoing, recently included "epigenetic clock" (2017-2021), "obesity, smoking, aging, and DNA methylation" (2017-2021), and "biomarker and epigenome-wide association study" (2019-2021).

We used bibliometric and visual methods to identify research hotspots and trends in DNA methylation in CVDs. Epigenetic clocks, biomarkers, environmental exposure, and lifestyle may become the focus and frontier of future research.