ABSTRACT
RESUMEN: El alcoholismo es una enfermedad crónica recidivante asociada a disfunción psicológica, social y física. El alcohol no sólo es una droga adictiva, también produce alteraciones en las actividades y funciones de múltiples sistemas y órganos. Actualmente, diversos estudios demuestran que el ambiente puede modular la expresión génica del ADN mediante mecanismos epigenéticos, sugiriendo de esta manera, que el consumo de alcohol es un factor que puede alterar los patrones epigenéticos y, por lo tanto, los niveles de expresión génica. La metilación del ADN es un proceso epigenético que participa en la regulación de la expresión génica, impidiendo la unión de factores de transcripción y propiciando la estructura cerrada de la cromatina. En este sentido, los cambios en la metilación del ADN se reconocen como una de las formas más comunes de alteración molecular en la dependencia al alcohol y los procesos neoplásicos humanos. El alcohol puede ser un factor importante en la iniciación del cáncer, aumentando la expresión de ciertos oncogenes o reprimiendo la capacidad de las células para reparar el ADN, lo que aumenta la probabilidad de que se produzcan mutaciones oncogénicas. Sin embargo, los mecanismos exactos de la patogénesis del cáncer ligada al consumo de alcohol aún permanecen sin ser dilucidados. Por lo anterior, el objetivo de la presente revisión fue describir los mecanismos de metilación del ADN y su relación con el consumo de alcohol y cáncer.
SUMMARY: Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disease associated with psychological, social and physical dysfunction. Alcohol is not only an addictive substance, it also alters action and function of multiple systems and organs. Currently, several studies show that the environment can modulate gene expression of DNA by epigenetic mechanisms, thereby suggesting that alcohol consumption is a factor that can alter epigenetic patterns and therefore, the levels of gene expression. DNA methylation is an epigenetic process, that is a part of gene expression regulation preventing binding of transcription factors and encouraging the closed structure of chromatin. In this sense, changes in DNA methylation are recognized as one of the most common forms of molecular alteration in alcohol dependence and human neoplastic processes. Alcohol can be an important factor in activating the cancer by increasing the expression of certain oncogenes or repressing the ability of cells to repair DNA, which increases the likelihood of oncogenic mutations. However, the exact mechanisms of the pathogenesis of cancer linked to alcohol consumption remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this review was to describe the mechanisms of DNA methylation and its relation to alcohol consumption and cancer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , DNA Methylation/drug effects , Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects , Neoplasms/chemically induced , Ethanol/adverse effects , Alcoholism , Carcinogenesis/chemically induced , Neoplasms/geneticsABSTRACT
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but progressive and currently incurable disease, which is characterized by vascular remodeling in association with muscularization of the arterioles, medial thickening and plexiform lesion formation. Despite our advanced understanding of the pathogenesis of PAH and the recent therapeutic advances, PAH still remains a fatal disease. In addition, the susceptibility to PAH has not yet been adequately explained. Much evidence points to the involvement of epigenetic changes in the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases including cancer, peripheral hypertension and asthma. The knowledge gained from the epigenetic study of various human diseases can also be applied to PAH. Thus, the pursuit of novel therapeutic targets via understanding the epigenetic alterations involved in the pathogenesis of PAH, such as DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNA, might be an attractive therapeutic avenue for the development of a novel and more effective treatment. This review provides a general overview of the current advances in epigenetics associated with PAH, and discusses the potential for improved treatment through understanding the role of epigenetics in the development of PAH.