{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Decreased Alu methylation in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients increases HbA1c levels.
{Author}: Thongsroy J;Mutirangura A;
{Journal}: J Clin Lab Anal
{Volume}: 37
{Issue}: 17
{Year}: 2023 Sep 24
{Factor}: 3.124
{DOI}: 10.1002/jcla.24966
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Alu hypomethylation is a common epigenetic process that promotes genomic instability with aging phenotypes, which leads to type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). Previously, our results showed significantly decreased Alu methylation levels in type 2 DM patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes in Alu methylation levels in these patients.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>We observed significantly decreased Alu methylation levels in type 2 DM patients compared with normal (p = 0.0462). Moreover, our findings demonstrated changes in Alu hypomethylation over a follow-up period within the same individuals (p < 0.0001). A reduction in Alu methylation was found in patients with increasing HbA1c levels (p = 0.0013) and directly correlated with increased HbA1c levels in type 2 DM patients (r = -0.2273, p = 0.0387).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Alu methylation in type 2 DM patients progressively decreases with increasing HbA1c levels. This observation suggests a potential association between Alu hypomethylation and the underlying molecular mechanisms of elevated blood glucose. Furthermore, monitoring Alu methylation levels may serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing the clinical outcomes of type 2 DM.