Alteration in epigenetic profile in subclinical atherosclerosis and in high uric acid

Uric acid (UA) and epigenetics are associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). To identify the association between the epigenetics with UA and subclinical atherosclerosis, three matched groups of males free from cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) were compared: candidates for premature coronary angiography (CPCA), individuals with high UA (HUA) and normal subjects (NS). Participants were 30-45 years old: CPCA (n = 18), HUA (n = 15) and NS (n = 20). CVRF freedom was defined as no current smoking/opium, untreated blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg, fasting glucose < 110 mg/dl, total cholesterol < 240 mg/dl, LDL-) < 160 mg/dl, and HDL-C > 30 mg/dl. HUA was defined as serum UA > 6.5 mg/dl. After adjustment for cofounders (CVRFs), DNMT3A/3B and HDAC3/7 expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analyzed by Real Time PCR technique. In compare to the normal group, the expression of DNMT3B and HDAC3/7 was remarkably lower in CPCA and HUA groups (p-value < 0.05). In the CPCA group, HDAC3 showed the most decrease in the expression. However, they had no considerable correlation with UA levels (ppvalue > 0.05). DNMT3A had a significant increase in the CPCA and HUA groups (p-value < 0.05), and showed a negative correlation with UA levels (p-value ~ 0.044). Alteration in epigenetic factors is independently associated with the presence of early atherosclerosis and with UA levels. Epigenetics is associated with hyperuricemia and with subclinical atherosclerosis, where there is no statistically difference in CVRFs for ischemic heart disease like male sex, old age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and metabolic syndrome as well as, serum UA levels.