Maternal Dietary Supplementation Counteracts Bisphenol A-Induced Epigenetics Changes

Dana C. Dolinoy, Ph.D. and Randy L. Jirtle, Ph.D.
University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University
R01ES015165, R21ES013053, and T32ES007031

The fetal basis of adult disease research paradigm is rooted in epigenetics—modifications in chromatin and DNA that are stable following cell division and are heritable, but do not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence of the organism. Epigenetics controls genes by the addition of methyl groups to the DNA which turn off genes that aren’t necessary at a given point in an organism’s development. However, changes in the DNA methylation status can also turn off genes that are protective such as tumor suppressor genes.

Recent research by NIEHS grantee Randy Jirtle and his research team shows that epigenetic changes induced by bisphenol A lead to problems with fertility and breast and prostate cancer in rat pups whose mother’s were fed the compound in their diets. In a current study, the team found that maternal dietary supplementation with folic acid or genestein reversed the epigenetic effects in the offspring.

Bisphenol A is a compound found in many types of plastic applications including water and soft drink bottles, the liners of metal food cans, dental sealants, adhesives, and many other plastics that humans come in contact with. Over time, small amounts of the compound leach out of the containers and into the food or beverage. Previous research has established that bisphenol A causes epigenetic changes through hypomethylation.

The Jirtle lab showed that epigenetic patterning during early stem cell development is sensitive to bisphenol A exposure. The addition of either methyl donor, folic acid or genestein, stopped the hypomethylating effect of bisphenol A. The authors conclude that their study’s results support the inclusion of epigenetic effects of chemicals into risk assessments. The study also supports further investigation into possible dietary supplements that might counteract the adverse effects of environmental agents on the epigenome.

Citation: Dolinoy DC, Huang D, Jirtle RL. Maternal nutrient supplementation counteracts bisphenol A-induced DNA hypomethylation in early development.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Aug 7;104(32):13056-61.  [Abstract] (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=17670942&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum)