Alpha-adducin (ADD1) methylation as a potential epigenetic biomarker for young adults with prehypertension.

• Main Authors: Wan Omar, Wan Fatein Nabeila, A.Talib, Norlelawati, Abdullah, Aszrin, Ab Rahman, Jamalludin, Mohd Shah, Azarisman Shah
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: QH426 Genetics; QP Physiology; RC627 Specialties of Internal Medicine-Metabolic Diseases; RC667 Specialties of Internal Medicine-Diseases of Circulatory (Cardiovascular) System
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/83535/3/POSTER%20ADD1%20in%20PDF.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/83535/24/hypertension%20seoul%202019-2.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/83535/

Introduction: Prehypertension is a pre-disease state of hypertension, with a conversion rate of up to 37% in 5 years. Epigenetic changes have been proposed to play a role in the etiopathogenesis. The epigenetic changes in -Adducin (ADD1) gene in prehypertensive state in young adults is yet to be explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ADD1 gene promoter methylation and blood pressure in young adults. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted involving subjects age 18 to 45 years in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia who fulfils prehypertension and normotension blood pressure range using The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC7) definition. MethyLight analysis was used to determine DNA methylation levels of ADD1 gene promoter in blood DNA samples from 80 subjects with prehypertension and 80 normotensive control subjects. Results: The mean level of ADD1 methylation was 1.2480.022. Prehypertensives had significantly lower ADD1 methylation than normotensive controls [1.2410.020 vs. 1.256 0.020; p<0.001]. Sex-specific analysis showed that both males and females exhibited similar trend. After adjusting for other covariates, ADD1 methylation predicted prehypertension in males (p=0.003) and approaching significance for females (p=0.050). Conclusion: The level of ADD1 methylation in the DNA of subjects with prehypertension is lower than normotensive controls. ADD1 methylation is an independent predictor of prehypertension in males, hence could serve as a potential biomarker.