Differential Promoter Methylation in the Peripheral Blood-Findings from the Women 40+ Healthy Aging Study.

Background Estrogen receptor α (ERα) contributes to maintaining biological processes preserving health during aging. DNA methylation changes of ERα gene () were established as playing a direct role in the regulation of ERα levels. In this study, we hypothesized decreased DNA methylation of associated with postmenopause, lower estradiol (E2) levels, and increased age among healthy middle-aged and older women. Methods We assessed DNA methylation of promoter region from dried blood spots (DBSs) and E2 from saliva samples in 130 healthy women aged 40-73 years. Results We found that postmenopause and lower E2 levels were associated with lower DNA methylation of a distal regulatory region, but not with DNA methylation of proximal promoters. Conclusion Our results indicate that decreased methylation of cytosine-phosphate-guanine island (CpGI) shore may be associated with conditions of lower E2 in older healthy women.