Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8158388994, Iran.
Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, and Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Sep 14;22(18):9949. doi: 10.3390/ijms22189949.
The rate of aging has increased globally during recent decades and has led to a rising burden of age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). At the molecular level, epigenetic modifications have been shown recently to alter gene expression during the life course and impair cellular function. In this regard, several CVD risk factors, such as lifestyle and environmental factors, have emerged as key factors in epigenetic modifications within the cardiovascular system. In this study, we attempted to summarized recent evidence related to epigenetic modification, inflammation response, and CVD in older adults as well as the effect of lifestyle modification as a preventive strategy in this age group. Recent evidence showed that lifestyle and environmental factors may affect epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and miRNA expression. Several substances or nutrients such as selenium, magnesium, curcumin, and caffeine (present in coffee and some teas) could regulate epigenetics. Similarly, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, air pollutants, psychological stress, and shift working are well-known modifiers of epigenetic patterns. Understanding the exact ways that lifestyle and environmental factors could affect the expression of genes could help to influence the time of incidence and severity of aging-associated diseases. This review highlighted that a healthy lifestyle throughout the life course, such as a healthy diet rich in fibers, vitamins, and essential elements, and specific fatty acids, adequate physical activity and sleep, smoking cessation, and stress control, could be useful tools in preventing epigenetic changes that lead to impaired cardiovascular function.
近年来，全球人口老龄化速度加快，导致与年龄相关的疾病（如心血管疾病，CVD）负担不断增加。从分子水平看，最近的研究表明，表观遗传修饰会在整个生命过程中改变基因表达，并损害细胞功能。在这方面，一些心血管疾病风险因素，如生活方式和环境因素，已成为心血管系统内表观遗传修饰的关键因素。本研究试图总结最近有关老年人表观遗传修饰、炎症反应和 CVD 的证据，以及生活方式改变作为该年龄段预防策略的效果。最近的证据表明，生活方式和环境因素可能会影响表观遗传机制，如 DNA 甲基化、组蛋白乙酰化和 miRNA 表达。一些物质或营养素，如硒、镁、姜黄素和咖啡因（存在于咖啡和一些茶中），可以调节表观遗传学。同样，身体活动不足、饮酒、空气污染物、心理压力和轮班工作是表观遗传模式的已知调节剂。了解生活方式和环境因素影响基因表达的确切方式，有助于影响与年龄相关疾病的发病时间和严重程度。本综述强调，在整个生命过程中保持健康的生活方式，如富含纤维、维生素和必需元素以及特定脂肪酸的健康饮食、适量的体育锻炼和睡眠、戒烟和控制压力，可能是预防导致心血管功能障碍的表观遗传变化的有用工具。
