METHODS: This study was part of a larger matched-pair randomized controlled trial focusing on the impact of improved on-farm storage on food security, poverty, and net income of smallholder farming households. A total of N = 149 mothers were recruited by telephone and invited to attend a study appointment at health facilities in Kakamega County, Western Kenya, with their infants in April or May 2021. During the appointment, anthropometric measurements were taken, questionnaires on stress and mental health were administered, and saliva samples were collected. Logistic and multiple linear regression were used to examine the effect of the intervention and related measures on DNA methylation.
RESULTS: Mothers in the intervention group showed higher mean NR3C1 methylation levels than those in the control group, corrected for multiple testing. Maternal postpartum body mass index was positively associated with infant NR3C1 CpG3 DNA methylation. The more stressful life events a mother had experienced in the previous 12 months (including during pregnancy), the lower her FKBP5 CpG3 methylation levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity and stressful life events during pregnancy seem to exert significant effects on maternal DNA methylation. While these stressors did not appear to impact infant DNA methylation in the present study, maternal postpartum body mass index was significantly related to infant methylation. These findings suggest that while infants may be protected from excessive maternal glucocorticoids by placental barrier activity, maternal metabolic status is still reflected in their epigenetic make-up. Trial registration This study was part of a larger matched-pair randomized controlled trial on the impact of improved on-farm crop storage on welfare, nutrition, and human health. Registration can be found in the American Economic Association (AEA) RCT Registry, RCT ID: AEARCTR-0005845.
方法:本研究是一项大型配对随机对照试验的一部分,该试验的重点是改善农场储存对粮食安全的影响,贫穷,和小农农户的净收入。通过电话招募了总共149名母亲,并被邀请参加卡卡梅加县卫生机构的研究预约,肯尼亚西部,与他们的婴儿在2021年4月或5月。在任命期间,进行人体测量,进行了关于压力和心理健康的问卷,并收集唾液样本。采用Logistic和多元线性回归分析干预措施对DNA甲基化的影响。
结果:干预组的母亲平均NR3C1甲基化水平高于对照组,校正多次测试。产妇产后体重指数与婴儿NR3C1CpG3DNA甲基化呈正相关。母亲在过去12个月(包括怀孕期间)经历的压力更大的生活事件,她的FKBP5CpG3甲基化水平越低。
结论:食物不安全和孕期紧张的生活事件似乎对母体DNA甲基化有显著影响。虽然在本研究中,这些应激源似乎没有影响婴儿DNA甲基化,产妇产后体重指数与婴儿甲基化显著相关.这些发现表明,虽然胎盘屏障活性可以保护婴儿免受过多的母体糖皮质激素的影响,母体的代谢状况仍反映在表观遗传构成中.试验注册这项研究是一项更大的配对随机对照试验的一部分,该试验涉及改善农作物储存对福利的影响,营养,和人类健康。注册可以在美国经济协会(AEA)RCT注册表中找到,RCTID:AEARCTR-0005845。