School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Alcohol. 2024 Jun;117:27-41. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.03.008. Epub 2024 Mar 18.
While DNA serves as the fundamental genetic blueprint for an organism, it is not a static entity. Gene expression, the process by which genetic information is utilized to create functional products like proteins, can be modulated by a diverse range of environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs, play a pivotal role in mediating the intricate interplay between the environment and gene expression. Intriguingly, alterations in the epigenome have the potential to be inherited across generations. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) poses significant health issues worldwide. Alcohol has the capability to induce changes in the epigenome, which can be inherited by offspring, thus impacting them even in the absence of direct alcohol exposure. This review delves into the impact of alcohol on the epigenome, examining how its effects vary based on factors such as the age of exposure (adolescence or adulthood), the duration of exposure (chronic or acute), and the specific sample collected (brain, blood, or sperm). The literature underscores that alcohol exposure can elicit diverse effects on the epigenome during different life stages. Furthermore, compelling evidence from human and animal studies demonstrates that alcohol induces alterations in epigenome content, affecting both the brain and blood. Notably, rodent studies suggest that these epigenetic changes can result in lasting phenotype alterations that extend across at least two generations. In conclusion, the comprehensive literature analysis supports the notion that alcohol exposure induces lasting epigenetic alterations, influencing the behavior and health of future generations. This knowledge emphasizes the significance of addressing the potential transgenerational effects of alcohol and highlights the importance of preventive measures to minimize the adverse impact on offspring.
虽然 DNA 是生物体的基本遗传蓝图，但它并不是一个静态的实体。基因表达是指利用遗传信息来产生功能性产物（如蛋白质）的过程，它可以受到多种环境因素的调节。表观遗传机制，包括 DNA 甲基化、组蛋白修饰和 microRNAs，在介导环境与基因表达之间的复杂相互作用中起着关键作用。有趣的是，表观基因组的改变有可能在代际间遗传。酒精使用障碍（AUD）在全球范围内造成了重大的健康问题。酒精有能力诱导表观基因组发生变化，这些变化可以遗传给后代，即使他们没有直接接触酒精，也会受到影响。这篇综述深入探讨了酒精对表观基因组的影响，研究了其影响因暴露年龄（青春期或成年期）、暴露持续时间（慢性或急性）和采集的特定样本（大脑、血液或精子）而异的情况。文献强调，在不同的生命阶段，酒精暴露会对表观基因组产生不同的影响。此外，来自人类和动物研究的有力证据表明，酒精会引起表观基因组内容的改变，影响大脑和血液。值得注意的是，啮齿动物研究表明，这些表观遗传变化可能导致持久的表型改变，至少跨越两代。总之，全面的文献分析支持这样一种观点，即酒精暴露会引起持久的表观遗传改变，影响后代的行为和健康。这一知识强调了关注酒精潜在代际效应的重要性，并突出了采取预防措施以最小化对后代负面影响的重要性。
