DNA methylation of hypertension-related genes and effect of riboflavin supplementation in adults stratified by genotype for the MTHFR C677T polymorphism

Background The interaction between genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors plays an important role in the aetiology of hypertension. GWAS observational studies link C677T polymorphism methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with hypertension, while riboflavin, MTHFR cofactor, has been shown to reduce blood pressure global DNA methylation homozygous (TT genotype) individuals. It is currently unclear whether riboflavin modulates other hypertension-related genes. Objectives To compare genes adults stratified by genotype effect intervention variant 677TT genotype. Method Pyrosequencing was carried out for (ACE, AGTR1, GCK, GNA12, IGF2, MMP9 NOS3) samples from participants previous trials (CC, n = 40; TT, 40). (1.6 mg/d for16 weeks) or placebo on investigated (n 80). Results Individuals v CC had significantly higher average at NOS3 (+1.66%, P 0.044). In response supplementation TT individuals, there increase IGF2 (+1.09%, 0.019) a decrease ACE (?0.44%, 0.021) females only. Specific CpG sites were hypomethylated GNA12 hypermethylated AGTR1. Conclusion This study provides first RCT evidence that alters genotype, providing some insight into mechanisms linking hypertension genotype-specific BP riboflavin.