Glutathione deficiency induces epigenetic alterations of vitamin D metabolism genes in the livers of high-fat diet-fed obese mice

Sci Rep. 2019 Oct 15;9(1):14784. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51377-5.

Abstract

Obesity has been correlating with low levels of glutathione (GSH) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)VD3). The liver is the principal site for the 25(OH)VD3 biosynthesis. This study investigated whether GSH deficiency induces epigenetic alterations that impair Vitamin D (VD) metabolism genes in the livers of HFD-fed mice. The expression of the VD metabolism genes CYP2R1 and CYP27A1 (25-hydroxylase), CYP27B1 (1-α-hydroxylase), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) were downregulated in the livers of mice fed an HFD (GSH- deficient) compared with control diet-fed group. The expression of CYP24A1 (24-hydroxylase) was significantly increased, which catabolizes both 25(OH)VD3 and 1α,25-hydroxyvitaminD3. Gene-specific hypermethylation of 25-hydroxylase, 1-α-hydroxylase, and VDR, and hypomethylation of CYP24A1 was observed in HFD-fed mice. GSH deficiency induced in cultured hepatocytes caused an increase in oxidative stress and alterations in VD regulatory genes. Similarly, elevated global DNA methylation, Dnmt activity, and 5-methylcytosine but decreased Tet activity and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine were observed in the GSH-deficient hepatocytes and the liver of HFD-fed mice. Replenishment of GSH by its prodrugs treatment beneficially altered epigenetic enzymes, and VD-metabolism genes in hepatocytes. HFD-induces GSH deficiency and epigenetically alters VD-biosynthesis pathway genes. This provides a biochemical mechanism for the VD-deficiency and potential benefits of GSH treatment in reducing 25(OH)VD3-deficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biosynthetic Pathways / drug effects
  • Biosynthetic Pathways / genetics
  • Calcifediol / biosynthesis*
  • DNA Methylation
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Glutathione / administration & dosage
  • Glutathione / deficiency*
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Obese
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / etiology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / metabolism

Substances

  • Glutathione
  • Calcifediol