New research exposes the epigenetic changes and harmful consequences that can occur as a result of exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health have found that breathing in diesel exhaust fumes can lead to changes in DNA methylation levels, switching on and off certain genes. Diesel exhaust is … Continue reading Epigenetic Changes Result from Breathing in Diesel Exhaust
B Vitamins Protect Against Harmful Epigenetic Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution has a negative impact on our health and can also adjust important chemical tags on our DNA. Aside from taking steps to reduce pollution in our communities, a new study suggests that we can take B vitamins to combat the harmful effects on our bodies. Particulate matter with a diameter less than … Continue reading B Vitamins Protect Against Harmful Epigenetic Effects of Air Pollution
RNA-Methylation-Dependent RNA Processing Controls the Speed of the Circadian Clock
Circadian rhythms are the physiological changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, such as the sleep-wake cycle. They are found in most living things including animals, plants and fungi. The mammalian circadian biological clock regulates metabolism via a negative transcription-translation feedback loop of clock genes. Histone protein methylation is an epigenetic modification which has been suggested to … Continue reading RNA-Methylation-Dependent RNA Processing Controls the Speed of the Circadian Clock
Histone Modifications and Epigenetic Regulation Could Hold the Key to Reversing Aging
Epigenetics has numerous connections to the process of aging, research hinting at the association between longevity and factors such as transcriptome length and DNA methylation patterns. Clearly, understanding the molecular controls of aging proves to be an intriguing endeavor as we try to interpret the clues of how we might slow down and perhaps even reverse aging. … Continue reading Histone Modifications and Epigenetic Regulation Could Hold the Key to Reversing Aging
Epigenetic Regulation of a Single Gene Controls Drug and Stress Responses
Researchers have found that the regulation of a specific gene located in an area of the brain linked to depression and drug addiction can reduce the way someone responds to drugs and stressful situations. A mouse study that focused on the epigenetic regulation of a single gene was carried out at the Icahn School of Medicine at … Continue reading Epigenetic Regulation of a Single Gene Controls Drug and Stress Responses
Natural Compound in Cypress Trees Might Epigenetically Protect Against Cancer
A chemical in an essential oil extracted from tree bark might actually reduce cancer growth. Researchers are finding that hinokitiol, a compound found in some cypress trees, not only has anti-infective and anti-oxidative properties, but it might also impact the epigenetic tags on top of DNA and reactivate genes that fight against tumor growth. The epigenetic … Continue reading Natural Compound in Cypress Trees Might Epigenetically Protect Against Cancer
Could Drinking Alcohol Epigenetically Hamper Your Ability to Process Cholesterol?
Scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Johns Hopkins Medicine worked together to analyze human and mouse epigenomes and discovered that drinking alcohol could lead to epigenetic changes that influence a particular gene’s ability to regulate cholesterol. The results suggest an underlying epigenetic mechanism known as DNA methylation could explain why someone’s body processes … Continue reading Could Drinking Alcohol Epigenetically Hamper Your Ability to Process Cholesterol?
The Epigenetic Benefits of Your Thanksgiving Feast
Thanksgiving is a time for people to come together to share what they are thankful for, enjoy each other’s company and, perhaps most importantly, eat. Sharing a large feast is a great way to strengthen the bond between family and friends during Thanksgiving, but you might not know it’s an opportunity to make the best … Continue reading The Epigenetic Benefits of Your Thanksgiving Feast
Exploring the Possibility of Extending Lifespan Using Epigenetic Drift
Nearly a century ago, researchers discovered that cutting calorie intake was actually able to extend lifespan in various animal species. Although numerous studies have been conducted since to find out exactly why reducing calories can extend lifespan, scientists have been unable to pinpoint the answer. Now, a group of investigators at the Lewis Katz School … Continue reading Exploring the Possibility of Extending Lifespan Using Epigenetic Drift
Smoking Linked to Epigenetic Warning Signs of Cancer in Cheek Cells
New research published in JAMA Oncology shows that DNA damage that occurs as a result of smoking may be found in cheek swabs. In light of this research, smoking is thought to adjust the epigenetic profile of cheek cells and the resulting epigenetic landscape may even be used as an early warning sign of other cancers typically … Continue reading Smoking Linked to Epigenetic Warning Signs of Cancer in Cheek Cells
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 