Epigenetic modifications and fetal programming: Molecular mechanisms to control hypertension inheritance

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular epigenetics
• Hypertension research
• Public health

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the US.
• Hypertension is a major CVD risk factor, with 50% genetic and 50% lifestyle/environmental influence.
• Epigenetic modifications, influenced by lifestyle, play a key role in hypertension development and inheritance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review mechanisms linking lifestyle factors to epigenetic modifications in hypertension.
• To explore how physical activity and healthy habits can counteract inherited hypertension risks.
• To examine the role of prenatal and perinatal factors in hypertension risk and epigenetic inheritance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on stress, sleep, obesity, sedentarism, physical exercise, and diet.
• Analysis of epigenetic mechanisms underlying lifestyle-induced hypertension.
• Examination of intergenerational epigenetic inheritance of hypertension traits.

Main Results:

• Stress, sleep deprivation, obesity, and sedentarism promote epigenetic changes contributing to hypertension.
• Physical exercise and healthy habits induce epigenetic modifications that can prevent or reverse hypertension.
• Adverse gestational/perinatal conditions increase later-life hypertension risk, while healthy habits can improve offspring cardiovascular health.

Conclusions:

• Lifestyle-induced epigenetic modifications can be long-lasting and transmitted across generations.
• Healthier habits during gestation and lactation can mitigate fetal programming for hypertension.
• Targeting epigenetic mechanisms through lifestyle interventions offers a promising strategy to combat inherited hypertension.