One-year Mediterranean diet promotes epigenetic rejuvenation with country- and sex-specific effects: a pilot study from the NU-AGE project

Gut microbiota as a sensor of autoimmune response and treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a multifactorial condition where interaction between the genetic and environmental factors lead to immune dysregulation causing autoreactivity. While among the various genetic factors, HLA-DR4 and DQ8, have been reported to be the strongest risk factors, the role of various environmental factors has been unclear. Though events initiating autoreactivity remain unknown, a mucosal origin of RA has gained attention based on the recent observations with the gut dysbiosis in patients. However, causality of gut dysbiosis has been difficult to prove in humans. Mouse models, especially mice expressing RA-susceptible and -resistant HLA class II genes have helped unravel the complex interactions between genetic factors and gut microbiome. This review describes the interactions between HLA genes and gut dysbiosis in sex-biased preclinical autoreactivity and discusses the potential use of endogenous commensals as indicators of treatment efficacy as well as therapeutic tool to suppress pro-inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis.

Targeting the epigenetically older individuals for geroprotective trials: the use of DNA methylation clocks

Chronological age is the most important risk factor for the incidence of age-related diseases. The pace of ageing determines the magnitude of that risk and can be expressed as biological age. Targeting fundamental pathways of human aging with geroprotectors has the potential to lower the biological age and therewith prolong the healthspan, the period of life one spends in good health. Target populations for geroprotective interventions should be chosen based on the ageing mechanisms being addressed and the expected effect of the geroprotector on the primary outcome. Biomarkers of ageing, such as DNA methylation age, can be used to select populations for geroprotective interventions and as a surrogate outcome. Here, the use of DNA methylation clocks for selecting target populations for geroprotective intervention is explored.

Healthy Japanese dietary pattern is associated with slower biological aging in older men: WASEDA'S health study

Aging is the greatest risk factor for numerous diseases and mortality, and establishing geroprotective interventions targeting aging is required. Previous studies have suggested that healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, are associated with delayed biological aging; however, these associations depend on nationality and sex. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns identified through principal component analysis and biological aging in older men of Japan, one of the countries with the longest life expectancies. Principal component analysis identified two dietary patterns: a healthy Japanese dietary pattern and a Western-style dietary pattern. Eight epigenetic clocks, some of the most accurate aging biomarkers, were identified using DNA methylation data from whole-blood samples. Correlation analyses revealed that healthy Japanese dietary patterns were significantly negatively or positively correlated with multiple epigenetic age accelerations (AgeAccel), including AgeAccelGrim, FitAgeAccel, and age-adjusted DNAm-based telomere length (DNAmTLAdjAge). Conversely, the Western-style dietary pattern was observed not to correlate significantly with any of the examined AgeAccels or age-adjusted values. After adjusting for covariates, the healthy Japanese dietary pattern remained significantly positively correlated with DNAmTLAdjAge. Regression analysis showed that healthy Japanese dietary pattern contributed less to epigenetic age acceleration than smoking status. These findings suggest that a Western-style dietary pattern may not be associated with biological aging, whereas a healthy Japanese dietary pattern is associated with delayed biological aging in older Japanese men. Our findings provide evidence that healthy dietary patterns may have mild beneficial effects on delayed biological aging in older Japanese men.

Identifying the relation between food groups and biological ageing: a data-driven approach

BACKGROUND

Heterogeneity in ageing rates drives the need for research into lifestyle secrets of successful agers. Biological age, predicted by epigenetic clocks, has been shown to be a more reliable measure of ageing than chronological age. Dietary habits are known to affect the ageing process. However, much remains to be learnt about specific dietary habits that may directly affect the biological process of ageing.

OBJECTIVE

To identify food groups that are directly related to biological ageing, using Copula Graphical Models.

METHODS

We performed a preregistered analysis of 3,990 postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative, based in North America. Biological age acceleration was calculated by the epigenetic clock PhenoAge using whole-blood DNA methylation. Copula Graphical Modelling, a powerful data-driven exploratory tool, was used to examine relations between food groups and biological ageing whilst adjusting for an extensive amount of confounders. Two food group-age acceleration networks were established: one based on the MyPyramid food grouping system and another based on item-level food group data.

RESULTS

Intake of eggs, organ meat, sausages, cheese, legumes, starchy vegetables, added sugar and lunch meat was associated with biological age acceleration, whereas intake of peaches/nectarines/plums, poultry, nuts, discretionary oil and solid fat was associated with decelerated ageing.

CONCLUSION

We identified several associations between specific food groups and biological ageing. These findings pave the way for subsequent studies to ascertain causality and magnitude of these relationships, thereby improving the understanding of biological mechanisms underlying the interplay between food groups and biological ageing.

Sexual dimorphism in the context of nutrition and health

Diets and dietary constituents that we consume have a considerable impact on disease risk. Intriguingly these effects may be modulated to some extent by sex. Lack of female representation in nutritional studies as well as a lack of stratification by sex has and continues to limit our understanding of these sex × diet interactions. Here we provide an overview of the current and available literature describing how exposure to certain dietary patterns (Western-style diet, Mediterranean diet, vegetarian/vegan, ketogenic diet) and dietary constituents (dietary fibre, PUFA and plant bioactive) influences disease risk in a sex-specific manner. Interestingly, these sex differences appear to be highly disease-specific. The identification of such sex differences in response to diet stresses the importance of sex stratification in nutritional research.

Mitigating cellular aging and enhancing cognitive functionality: visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy in neurocognitive disorders

The growing phenomenon of population aging is redefining demographic dynamics, intensifying age-related conditions, especially dementia, projected to triple by 2050 with an enormous global economic burden. This study investigates visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy (CAT) as a non-pharmacological CAT intervention targets both biological aging [leukocyte telomere length (LTL), DNA methylation age (DNAmAge)] and cognitive functionality. Aligning with a broader trend of integrating non-pharmacological approaches into dementia care. The longitudinal study involved 20 patients with mild to moderate neurocognitive disorders. Cognitive and functional assessments, and biological aging markers -i.e., LTL and DNAmAge- were analyzed before and after CAT intervention. Change in LTL was positively correlated with days of treatment (p =0.0518). LTL significantly elongated after intervention (p =0.0269), especially in men (p =0.0142), correlating with younger age (p =0.0357), and higher education (p =0.0008). DNAmAge remained instead stable post-treatment. Cognitive and functional improvements were observed for Copy of complex geometric figure, Progressive Silhouettes, Position Discrimination, Communication Activities of Daily Living-Second edition, Direct Functional Status (p < 0.0001) and Object decision (p =0.0594), but no correlations were found between LTL and cognitive gains. Visual arts-mediated CAT effectively mitigates cellular aging, especially in men, by elongating LTL. These findings underscore the potential of non-pharmacological interventions in enhancing cognitive and functional status and general well-being in dementia care. Further research with larger and longer-term studies is essential for validation.

Epigenetic aging in older people living with HIV in Eswatini: a pilot study of HIV and lifestyle factors and epigenetic aging

BACKGROUND

People living with HIV (PLHIV) on effective antiretroviral therapy are living near-normal lives. Although they are less susceptible to AIDS-related complications, they remain highly vulnerable to non-communicable diseases. In this exploratory study of older PLHIV (OPLHIV) in Eswatini, we investigated whether epigenetic aging (i.e., the residual between regressing epigenetic age on chronological age) was associated with HIV-related parameters, and whether lifestyle factors modified these relationships. We calculated epigenetic aging focusing on the Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge and GrimAge epigenetic clocks, and a pace of biological aging biomarker (DunedinPACE) among 44 OPLHIV in Eswatini.

RESULTS

Age at HIV diagnosis was associated with Hannum epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) (β-coefficient [95% Confidence Interval]; 0.53 [0.05, 1.00], p = 0.03) and longer duration since HIV diagnosis was associated with slower Hannum EAA (- 0.53 [- 1.00, - 0.05], p = 0.03). The average daily dietary intake of fruits and vegetables was associated with DunedinPACE (0.12 [0.03, 0.22], p = 0.01). The associations of Hannum EAA with the age at HIV diagnosis and duration of time since HIV diagnosis were attenuated when the average daily intake of fruits and vegetables or physical activity were included in our models. Diet and self-perceived quality of life measures modified the relationship between CD4+ T cell counts at participant enrollment and Hannum EAA.

CONCLUSIONS

Epigenetic age is more advanced in OPLHIV in Eswatini in those diagnosed with HIV at an older age and slowed in those who have lived for a longer time with diagnosed HIV. Lifestyle and quality of life factors may differentially affect epigenetic aging in OPLHIV. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess epigenetic aging in OPLHIV in Eswatini and one of the few in sub-Saharan Africa.

The epigenetics of frailty

The conceptual change of frailty, from a physical to a biopsychosocial phenotype, expanded the field of frailty, including social and behavioral domains with critical interaction between different frailty models. Environmental exposures - including physical exercise, psychosocial factors and diet - may play a role in the frailty pathophysiology. Complex underlying mechanisms involve the progressive interactions of genetics with epigenetics and of multimorbidity with environmental factors. Here we review the literature on possible mechanisms explaining the association between epigenetic hallmarks (i.e., global DNA methylation, DNA methylation age acceleration and microRNAs) and frailty, considered as biomarkers of aging. Frailty could be considered the result of environmental epigenetic factors on biological aging, caused by conflicting DNA methylation age and chronological age.

Biological Aging Acceleration Due to Environmental Exposures: An Exciting New Direction in Toxicogenomics Research

Biological clock technologies are designed to assess the acceleration of biological age (B-age) in diverse cell types, offering a distinctive opportunity in toxicogenomic research to explore the impact of environmental stressors, social challenges, and unhealthy lifestyles on health impairment. These clocks also play a role in identifying factors that can hinder aging and promote a healthy lifestyle. Over the past decade, researchers in epigenetics have developed testing methods that predict the chronological and biological age of organisms. These methods rely on assessing DNA methylation (DNAm) levels at specific CpG sites, RNA levels, and various biomolecules across multiple cell types, tissues, and entire organisms. Commonly known as 'biological clocks' (B-clocks), these estimators hold promise for gaining deeper insights into the pathways contributing to the development of age-related disorders. They also provide a foundation for devising biomedical or social interventions to prevent, reverse, or mitigate these disorders. This review article provides a concise overview of various epigenetic clocks and explores their susceptibility to environmental stressors.

Improving Cognitive Function with Nutritional Supplements in Aging: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Clinical Studies Investigating the Effects of Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants, and Other Dietary Supplements

Cognitive impairment and dementia are burgeoning public health concerns, especially given the increasing longevity of the global population. These conditions not only affect the quality of life of individuals and their families, but also pose significant economic burdens on healthcare systems. In this context, our comprehensive narrative review critically examines the role of nutritional supplements in mitigating cognitive decline. Amidst growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive enhancement, this review delves into the efficacy of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other dietary supplements. Through a systematic evaluation of randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and meta-analysis, this review focuses on outcomes such as memory enhancement, attention improvement, executive function support, and neuroprotection. The findings suggest a complex interplay between nutritional supplementation and cognitive health, with some supplements showing promising results and others displaying limited or context-dependent effectiveness. The review highlights the importance of dosage, bioavailability, and individual differences in response to supplementation. Additionally, it addresses safety concerns and potential interactions with conventional treatments. By providing a clear overview of current scientific knowledge, this review aims to guide healthcare professionals and researchers in making informed decisions about the use of nutritional supplements for cognitive health.

Epigenetics of the far northern Yakutian population

BACKGROUND

Yakuts are one of the indigenous populations of the subarctic and arctic territories of Siberia characterized by a continental subarctic climate with severe winters, with the regular January average temperature in the regional capital city of Yakutsk dipping below - 40 °C. The epigenetic mechanisms of adaptation to such ecologies and environments and, in particular, epigenetic age acceleration in the local population have not been studied before.

RESULTS

This work reports the first epigenetic study of the Yakutian population using whole-blood DNA methylation data, supplemented with the comparison to the residents of Central Russia. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed, among others, geographic region-specific differentially methylated regions associated with adaptation to climatic conditions (water consumption, digestive system regulation), aging processes (actin filament activity, cell fate), and both of them (channel activity, regulation of steroid and corticosteroid hormone secretion). Further, it is demonstrated that the epigenetic age acceleration of the Yakutian representatives is significantly higher than that of Central Russia counterparts. For both geographic regions, we showed that epigenetically males age faster than females, whereas no significant sex differences were found between the regions.

CONCLUSIONS

We performed the first study of the epigenetic data of the Yakutia cohort, paying special attention to region-specific features, aging processes, age acceleration, and sex specificity.

Measuring healthy ageing: current and future tools

Human ageing is a complex, multifactorial process characterised by physiological damage, increased risk of age-related diseases and inevitable functional deterioration. As the population of the world grows older, placing significant strain on social and healthcare resources, there is a growing need to identify reliable and easy-to-employ markers of healthy ageing for early detection of ageing trajectories and disease risk. Such markers would allow for the targeted implementation of strategies or treatments that can lessen suffering, disability, and dependence in old age. In this review, we summarise the healthy ageing scores reported in the literature, with a focus on the past 5 years, and compare and contrast the variables employed. The use of approaches to determine biological age, molecular biomarkers, ageing trajectories, and multi-omics ageing scores are reviewed. We conclude that the ideal healthy ageing score is multisystemic and able to encompass all of the potential alterations associated with ageing. It should also be longitudinal and able to accurately predict ageing complications at an early stage in order to maximize the chances of successful early intervention.

The Role of Methionine-Rich Diet in Unhealthy Cerebrovascular and Brain Aging: Mechanisms and Implications for Cognitive Impairment

As aging societies in the western world face a growing prevalence of vascular cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD), understanding their underlying causes and associated risk factors becomes increasingly critical. A salient concern in the western dietary context is the high consumption of methionine-rich foods such as red meat. The present review delves into the impact of this methionine-heavy diet and the resultant hyperhomocysteinemia on accelerated cerebrovascular and brain aging, emphasizing their potential roles in cognitive impairment. Through a comprehensive exploration of existing evidence, a link between high methionine intake and hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and accelerated epigenetic aging is drawn. Moreover, the microvascular determinants of cognitive deterioration, including endothelial dysfunction, reduced cerebral blood flow, microvascular rarefaction, impaired neurovascular coupling, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, are explored. The mechanisms by which excessive methionine consumption and hyperhomocysteinemia might drive cerebromicrovascular and brain aging processes are elucidated. By presenting an intricate understanding of the relationships among methionine-rich diets, hyperhomocysteinemia, cerebrovascular and brain aging, and cognitive impairment, avenues for future research and potential therapeutic interventions are suggested.

Epigenetic aging differences between Wichí and Criollos from Argentina: Insights from genomic history and ecology

Background and objectives

Epigenetic estimators based on DNA methylation levels have emerged as promising biomarkers of human aging. These estimators exhibit natural variations across human groups, but data about indigenous populations remain underrepresented in research. This study aims to investigate differences in epigenetic estimators between two distinct human populations, both residing in the Gran Chaco region of Argentina, the Native-American Wichí, and admixed Criollos who are descendants of intermarriages between Native Americans and the first European colonizers, using a population genetic approach.

Methodology

We analyzed 24 Wichí (mean age: 39.2 ± 12.9 yo) and 24 Criollos (mean age: 41.1 ± 14.0 yo) for DNA methylation levels using the Infinium MethylationEPIC (Illumina) to calculate 16 epigenetic estimators. Additionally, we examined genome-wide genetic variation using the HumanOmniExpress BeadChip (Illumina) to gain insights into the genetic history of these populations.

Results

Our results indicate that Native-American Wichí are epigenetically older compared to Criollos according to five epigenetic estimators. Analyses within the Criollos population reveal that global ancestry does not influence the differences observed, while local (chromosomal) ancestry shows positive associations between specific SNPs located in genomic regions over-represented by Native-American ancestry and measures of epigenetic age acceleration (AgeAccelHannum). Furthermore, we demonstrate that differences in population ecologies also contribute to observed epigenetic differences.

Conclusions and implications

Overall, our study suggests that while the genomic history may partially account for the observed epigenetic differences, non-genetic factors, such as lifestyle and ecological factors, play a substantial role in the variability of epigenetic estimators, thereby contributing to variations in human epigenetic aging.

Nutrition, DNA methylation and obesity across life stages and generations

Obesity is a complex multifactorial condition that often manifests in early life with a lifelong burden on metabolic health. Diet, including pre-pregnancy maternal diet, in utero nutrition and dietary patterns in early and late life, can shape obesity development. Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation, might mediate or accompany these effects across life stages and generations. By reviewing human observational and intervention studies conducted over the past 10 years, this work provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence linking nutrition to DNA methylation and its association with obesity across different age periods, spanning from preconception to adulthood and identify future research directions in the field.

The effect of polyphenols on DNA methylation-assessed biological age attenuation: the DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Epigenetic age is an estimator of biological age based on DNA methylation; its discrepancy from chronologic age warrants further investigation. We recently reported that greater polyphenol intake benefitted ectopic fats, brain function, and gut microbiota profile, corresponding with elevated urine polyphenols. The effect of polyphenol-rich dietary interventions on biological aging is yet to be determined.

METHODS

We calculated different biological aging epigenetic clocks of different generations (Horvath2013, Hannum2013, Li2018, Horvath skin and blood2018, PhenoAge2018, PCGrimAge2022), their corresponding age and intrinsic age accelerations, and DunedinPACE, all based on DNA methylation (Illumina EPIC array; pre-specified secondary outcome) for 256 participants with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia, before and after the 18-month DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial. Three interventions were assigned: healthy dietary guidelines, a Mediterranean (MED) diet, and a polyphenol-rich, low-red/processed meat Green-MED diet. Both MED groups consumed 28 g walnuts/day (+ 440 mg/day polyphenols). The Green-MED group consumed green tea (3-4 cups/day) and Mankai (Wolffia globosa strain) 500-ml green shake (+ 800 mg/day polyphenols). Adherence to the Green-MED diet was assessed by questionnaire and urine polyphenols metabolomics (high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight).

RESULTS

Baseline chronological age (51.3 ± 10.6 years) was significantly correlated with all methylation age (mAge) clocks with correlations ranging from 0.83 to 0.95; p < 2.2e - 16 for all. While all interventions did not differ in terms of changes between mAge clocks, greater Green-Med diet adherence was associated with a lower 18-month relative change (i.e., greater mAge attenuation) in Li and Hannum mAge (beta =  - 0.41, p = 0.004 and beta =  - 0.38, p = 0.03, respectively; multivariate models). Greater Li mAge attenuation (multivariate models adjusted for age, sex, baseline mAge, and weight loss) was mostly affected by higher intake of Mankai (beta =  - 1.8; p = 0.061) and green tea (beta =  - 1.57; p = 0.0016) and corresponded with elevated urine polyphenols: hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and urolithin C (p < 0.05 for all) and urolithin A (p = 0.08), highly common in green plants. Overall, participants undergoing either MED-style diet had ~ 8.9 months favorable difference between the observed and expected Li mAge at the end of the intervention (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that MED and green-MED diets with increased polyphenols intake, such as green tea and Mankai, are inversely associated with biological aging. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical trial to indicate a potential link between polyphenol intake, urine polyphenols, and biological aging.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03020186.

The Possible Role of Food and Diet in the Quality of Life in Patients with COPD-A State-of-the-Art Review

Diet has been described as a modifiable risk factor for the development and progression of chronic diseases, and emerging evidence increasingly points to its preventive and therapeutic role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While the relationship between the underlying disease and diet is natural in conditions such as metabolic disorders, obesity, diabetes, etc., the direct effect is not so evident in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Poor diet quality and the development of nutrient deficiencies in respiratory diseases, including COPD, can be associated with disease-specific factors such as the exacerbation of respiratory symptoms. These symptoms can be improved by dietary interventions, leading to positive changes in the pathogenesis of the disease and the quality of life of patients. Therefore, our aim was to review the latest randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of dietary interventions in chronic respiratory patients and describe their effects on respiratory function, physical activity, systemic inflammatory parameters, and quality of life. We conducted a literature search on dietary interventions for COPD patients in the PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases, focusing on publications from 1 July 2018 to 1 July 2023. We used specific keywords and MESH terms, focusing on RCTs. A total of 26 articles and 1811 COPD patients were included in this review. On the basis of our findings, dietary interventions, in particular components of the Mediterranean diet such as protein, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vegetables, appear to have beneficial effects in patients with chronic respiratory diseases, and their application is beneficial. However, long-term follow-up studies are still needed to examine the effects of dietary interventions in this patient population.

Impact of Geroscience on Therapeutic Strategies for Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: JACC Scientific Statement

Geroscience posits that cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other chronic diseases result from progressive erosion of the effectiveness of homeostatic mechanisms that oppose age-related accumulation of molecular damage. This hypothetical common root to chronic diseases explains why patients with CVD are often affected by multimorbidity and frailty and why older age negatively affects CVD prognosis and treatment response. Gerotherapeutics enhance resilience mechanisms that counter age-related molecular damage to prevent chronic diseases, frailty, and disability, thereby extending healthspan. Here, we describe the main resilience mechanisms of mammalian aging, with a focus on how they can affect CVD pathophysiology. We next present novel gerotherapeutic approaches, some of which are already used in management of CVD, and explore their potential to transform care and management of CVD. The geroscience paradigm is gaining traction broadly in medical specialties, with potential to mitigate premature aging, reduce health care disparities, and improve population healthspan.

Measuring healthy ageing: current and future tools

Human ageing is a complex, multifactorial process characterised by physiological damage, increased risk of age-related diseases and inevitable functional deterioration. As the population of the world grows older, placing significant strain on social and healthcare resources, there is a growing need to identify reliable and easy-to-employ markers of healthy ageing for early detection of ageing trajectories and disease risk. Such markers would allow for the targeted implementation of strategies or treatments that can lessen suffering, disability, and dependence in old age. In this review, we summarise the healthy ageing scores reported in the literature, with a focus on the past 5 years, and compare and contrast the variables employed. The use of approaches to determine biological age, molecular biomarkers, ageing trajectories, and multi-omics ageing scores are reviewed. We conclude that the ideal healthy ageing score is multisystemic and able to encompass all of the potential alterations associated with ageing. It should also be longitudinal and able to accurately predict ageing complications at an early stage in order to maximize the chances of successful early intervention.

Epigenetic modifiers as game changers for healthy ageing

Epigenetic alterations during ageing are manifested with altered gene expression linking it to lifespan regulation, genetic instability, and diseases. Diet and epigenetic modifiers exert a profound effect on the lifespan of an organism by modulating the epigenetic marks. However, our understanding of the multifactorial nature of the epigenetic process during ageing and the onset of disease conditions as well as its reversal by epidrugs, diet, or environmental factors is still mystifying. This review covers the key findings in epigenetics related to ageing and age-related diseases. Further, it holds a discussion about the epigenetic clocks and their implications in various age-related disease conditions including cancer. Although, epigenetics is a reversible process how fast the epigenetic alterations can revert to normal is an intriguing question. Therefore, this paper touches on the possibility of utilizing nutrition and MSCs secretome to accelerate the epigenetic reversal and emphasizes the identification of new therapeutic epigenetic modifiers to counter epigenetic alteration during ageing.

NOTCH1: A Novel Player in the Molecular Crosstalk Underlying Articular Chondrocyte Protection by Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, but no effective and safe disease-modifying treatment is available. Risk factors such as age, sex, genetics, injuries and obesity can concur to the onset of the disease, variably triggering the loss of maturational arrest of chondrocytes further sustained by oxidative stress, inflammation and catabolism. Different types of nutraceuticals have been studied for their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Olive-derived polyphenols draw particular interest due to their ability to dampen the activation of pivotal signaling pathways in OA. Our study aims to investigate the effects of oleuropein (OE) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) in in vitro OA models and elucidate their possible effects on NOTCH1, a novel therapeutic target for OA. Chondrocytes were cultured and exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Detailed analysis was carried out about the OE/HT mitigating effects on the release of ROS (DCHF-DA), the increased gene expression of catabolic and inflammatory markers (real time RT-PCR), the release of MMP-13 (ELISA and Western blot) and the activation of underlying signaling pathways (Western blot). Our findings show that HT/OE efficiently attenuates LPS-induced effects by firstly reducing the activation of JNK and of the NOTCH1 pathway downstream. In conclusion, our study provides molecular bases supporting the dietary supplementation of olive-derived polyphenols to revert/delay the progression of OA.

Aging Hallmarks and the Role of Oxidative Stress

Aging is a complex biological process accompanied by a progressive decline in the physical function of the organism and an increased risk of age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Studies have established that there exist nine hallmarks of the aging process, including (i) telomere shortening, (ii) genomic instability, (iii) epigenetic modifications, (iv) mitochondrial dysfunction, (v) loss of proteostasis, (vi) dysregulated nutrient sensing, (vii) stem cell exhaustion, (viii) cellular senescence, and (ix) altered cellular communication. All these alterations have been linked to sustained systemic inflammation, and these mechanisms contribute to the aging process in timing not clearly determined yet. Nevertheless, mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the most important mechanisms contributing to the aging process. Mitochondria is the primary endogenous source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). During the aging process, there is a decline in ATP production and elevated ROS production together with a decline in the antioxidant defense. Elevated ROS levels can cause oxidative stress and severe damage to the cell, organelle membranes, DNA, lipids, and proteins. This damage contributes to the aging phenotype. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the mechanisms of aging with an emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production.

The role of genetics and epigenetics in sex differences in human survival

Sex differences in human survival have been extensively investigated in many studies that have in part uncovered the biological determinants that promote a longer life in females with respect to males. Moreover, researches performed in the past years have prompted increased awareness about the biological effects of environmental factors that can modulate the magnitude of the sex gap in survival. Besides the genetic background, epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation, that can modulate cell function, have been particularly studied in this framework. In this review, we aim to summarize the role of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in promoting female advantage from the early in life (“INNATE” features), and in influencing the magnitude of the gap in sex differences in survival and ageing (“VARIABLE” features). After briefly discussing the biological bases of sex determination in humans, we will provide much evidence showing that (i) “innate” mechanisms common to all males and to all females (both genetic and epigenetic) play a major role in sex differences in lifespan; (ii) “variable” genetic and epigenetic patterns, that vary according to context, populations and exposures to different environments, can affect the magnitude of the gap in sex differences in survival. Then we will describe recent findings in the use of epigenetic clocks to uncover sex differences in biological age and thus potentially in mortality. In conclusion, we will discuss how environmental factors cannot be kept apart from the biological factors providing evidence from the field of human ecology.

Epigenetic age acceleration correlates with BMI in young adults

INTRODUCTION

Obesity increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer, and other age-related disorders. Among older adults, obesity is also related to epigenetic age, typically measured with DNA methylation (DNAm). Because less is known about obesity and epigenetic aging earlier in the lifespan, this study examined the relationship between obesity and DNAm in young adulthood and whether these relationships vary by sex.

METHODS

A cross-sectional community sample of 290 healthy young adults (mean age 27.39 years, 60% female; 80% African American, 18% White) had their BMI and waist circumference measured. Four epigenetic age estimators were derived from salivary DNA: Hannum DNAm, Horvath DNAm, Phenoage DNAm, and GrimAge DNAm. Sociodemographic covariates included age, sex, race, parental education, and income-to-needs ratio.

RESULTS

After adjusting for covariates, higher BMI and waist were associated with higher DNAm PhenoAge in both sexes, with a stronger effect on BMI in males (β = 0.35, p < .001) compared to females (β = 0.13, p = .002). Higher waist, but not BMI, was associated with higher Horvath DNA methylation age. Both BMI and waist circumference were associated with higher Hannum DNAm age in men but not in women. Neither BMI nor waist circumference were related to GrimAge.

DISCUSSION

This study extends prior research by linking obesity with accelerated epigenetic aging in young adulthood, replicating the associations across two measures of obesity and four indices of salivary epigenetic aging. The results add to evidence that higher BMI accelerates aging early in the lifespan.

Nutrition Strategies Promoting Healthy Aging: From Improvement of Cardiovascular and Brain Health to Prevention of Age-Associated Diseases

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of studies suggest that diet plays an important role in regulating aging processes and modulates the development of the most important age-related diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the relationship between nutrition and critical age-associated diseases.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted to survey recent pre-clinical and clinical findings related to the role of nutritional factors in modulation of fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging and their role in prevention of the genesis of the diseases of aging.

RESULTS

Studies show that the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive impairment and dementia can be slowed down or prevented by certain diets with anti-aging action. The protective effects of diets, at least in part, may be mediated by their beneficial macro- (protein, fat, carbohydrate) and micronutrient (vitamins, minerals) composition.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, may play a significant role in healthy aging by preventing the onset of certain diseases and by improving the aging process itself. This latter can be strengthened by incorporating fasting elements into the diet. As dietary recommendations change with age, this should be taken into consideration as well, when developing a diet tailored to the needs of elderly individuals. Future and ongoing clinical studies on complex anti-aging dietary interventions translating the results of preclinical investigations are expected to lead to novel nutritional guidelines for older adults in the near future.

A Targeted Epigenetic Clock for the Prediction of Biological Age

Epigenetic clocks were initially developed to track chronological age, but accumulating evidence indicates that they can also predict biological age. They are usually based on the analysis of DNA methylation by genome-wide methods, but targeted approaches, based on the assessment of a small number of CpG sites, are advisable in several settings. In this study, we developed a targeted epigenetic clock purposely optimized for the measurement of biological age. The clock includes six genomic regions mapping in ELOVL2, NHLRC1, AIM2, EDARADD, SIRT7 and TFAP2E genes, selected from a re-analysis of existing microarray data, whose DNA methylation is measured by EpiTYPER assay. In healthy subjects (n = 278), epigenetic age calculated using the targeted clock was highly correlated with chronological age (Spearman correlation = 0.89). Most importantly, and in agreement with previous results from genome-wide clocks, epigenetic age was significantly higher and lower than expected in models of increased (persons with Down syndrome, n = 62) and decreased (centenarians, n = 106; centenarians' offspring, n = 143; nutritional intervention in elderly, n = 233) biological age, respectively. These results support the potential of our targeted epigenetic clock as a new marker of biological age and open its evaluation in large cohorts to further promote the assessment of biological age in healthcare practice.

Glyphosate disturbs various epigenetic processes in vitro and in vivo - A mini review

Glyphosate in the concentrations corresponding to environmental or occupational exposure has been shown to induce epigenetic changes potentially involved in carcinogenesis. This substance (1) changes the global methylation in various cell types and organisms and is responsible for the methylation of different promoters of individual genes, such as TP53 and P21 in human PBMCs, (2) decreases H3K27me3 methylation and H3 acetylation and increases H3K9 methylation and H4 acetylation in rats, (3) increases the expression of P16, P21, CCND1 in human PBMCs, and the expression of EGR1, JUN, FOS, and MYC in HEK293 cells, but decreases TP53 expression in human PBMCs, (4) changes the expression of genes DNMT1, HDAC3, TET1, TET2, TET3 involved in chromatin architecture, e.g. in fish Japanese medaka, (5) alters the expression of various small, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules engaged in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, such as miRNA 182-5p in MCF10A cells, miR-30 and miR-10 in mammalian stem cells, as well as several dozen of murine miRNAs. Epigenetic changes caused by glyphosate can persist over time and can be passed on to the offsprings in the next generation; in the third generation they can result in some disorders development, such as prostate disease or obesity. Some epigenetic mechanisms have indicated a potential risk of breast cancer development in human as a result of the exposure to glyphosate. It should be emphasized that the majority of reported epigenetic changes have not yet been associated with the final metabolic effects, which may depend on many other factors.

Dietary restriction in senolysis and prevention and treatment of disease

Aging represents a key risk factor for a plethora of diseases. Targeting detrimental processes which occur during aging, especially before onset of age-related disease, could provide drastic improvements in healthspan. There is increasing evidence that dietary restriction (DR), including caloric restriction, fasting, or fasting-mimicking diets, extend both lifespan and healthspan. This has sparked interest in the use of dietary regimens as a non-pharmacological means to slow aging and prevent disease. Here, we review the current evidence on the molecular mechanisms underlying DR-induced health improvements, including removal of senescent cells, metabolic reprogramming, and epigenetic rejuvenation.

Epigenetics in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: influence of exercise and nutrition

Increasing evidence links changes in epigenetic systems, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA expression, to the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These epigenetic modifications can change genetic function under influence of exogenous stimuli and can be transferred to next generations, providing a potential mechanism for inheritance of behavioural intervention effects. The benefits of exercise and nutritional interventions in the primary and secondary prevention of CVD are well established, but the mechanisms are not completely understood. In this review, we describe the acute and chronic epigenetic effects of physical activity and dietary changes. We propose exercise and nutrition as potential triggers of epigenetic signals, promoting the reshaping of transcriptional programmes with effects on CVD phenotypes. Finally, we highlight recent developments in epigenetic therapeutics with implications for primary and secondary CVD prevention.

Identified in blood diet-related methylation changes stratify liver biopsies of NAFLD patients according to fibrosis grade

BACKGROUND

High caloric diet and lack of physical activity are considered main causes of NAFLD, and a change in the diet is still the only effective treatment of this disease. However, molecular mechanism of the effectiveness of diet change in treatment of NAFLD is poorly understood. We aimed to assess the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression regulation in treatment of NAFLD. Eighteen participants with medium- to high-grade steatosis were recruited and trained to follow the Mediterranean diet modified to include fibre supplements. At three timepoints (baseline, after 30 and 60 days), we evaluated adherence to the diet and measured a number of physiological parameters such as anthropometry, blood and stool biochemistry, liver steatosis and stiffness. We also collected whole blood samples for genome-wide methylation profiling and histone acetylation assessment.

RESULTS

The diet change resulted in a decrease in liver steatosis along with statistically significant, but a minor change in BMI and weight of our study participants. The epigenetic profiling of blood cells identified significant genome-wide changes of methylation and acetylation with the former not involving regions directly regulating gene expression. Most importantly, we were able to show that identified blood methylation changes occur also in liver cells of NAFLD patients and the machine learning-based classifier that we build on those methylation changes was able to predict the stage of liver fibrosis with ROC AUC = 0.9834.

CONCLUSION

Methylomes of blood cells from NAFLD patients display a number of changes that are most likely a consequence of unhealthy diet, and the diet change appears to reverse those epigenetic changes. Moreover, the methylation status at CpG sites undergoing diet-related methylation change in blood cells stratifies liver biopsies from NAFLD patients according to fibrosis grade.

Aging and cancer epigenetics: Where do the paths fork?

Aging and cancer are clearly associated processes, at both the epidemiological and molecular level. Epigenetic mechanisms are good candidates to explain the molecular links between the two phenomena, but recent reports have also revealed considerable differences, particularly regarding the loss of DNA methylation in the two processes. The large-scale generation and availability of genome-wide epigenetic data now permits systematic studies to be undertaken which may help clarify the similarities and differences between aging and cancer epigenetic alterations. In addition, the development of epigenetic clocks provides a new dimension in which to investigate diseases at the molecular level. Here, we examine current and future questions about the roles of DNA methylation mechanisms as causal factors in the processes of aging and cancer so that we may better understand if and how aging-associated epigenetic alterations lead to tumorigenesis. It seems certain that comprehending the molecular mechanisms underlying epigenetic clocks, especially with regard to somatic stem cell aging, combined with applying single-cell epigenetic-age profiling technologies to aging and cancer cohorts, and the integration of existing and upcoming epigenetic evidence within the genetic damage models of aging will prove to be crucial to improving understanding of these two interrelated phenomena.

Chromosomal and environmental contributions to sex differences in the vulnerability to neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders: Implications for therapeutic interventions

Neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders affect men and women differently. Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, depression, meningiomas and late-onset schizophrenia affect women more frequently than men. By contrast, Parkinson's disease, autism spectrum condition, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette's syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and early-onset schizophrenia are more prevalent in men. Women have been historically under-recruited or excluded from clinical trials, and most basic research uses male rodent cells or animals as disease models, rarely studying both sexes and factoring sex as a potential source of variation, resulting in a poor understanding of the underlying biological reasons for sex and gender differences in the development of such diseases. Putative pathophysiological contributors include hormones and epigenetics regulators but additional biological and non-biological influences may be at play. We review here the evidence for the underpinning role of the sex chromosome complement, X chromosome inactivation, and environmental and epigenetic regulators in sex differences in the vulnerability to brain disease. We conclude that there is a pressing need for a better understanding of the genetic, epigenetic and environmental mechanisms sustaining sex differences in such diseases, which is critical for developing a precision medicine approach based on sex-tailored prevention and treatment.

Food for healthier aging: power on your plate

Inflammageing is a persistent low-level inflammatory burden that accompanies age-related dysregulation of the immune system during normative aging and within the diseasome of aging. A healthy diet containing a balanced amount of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, adequate in calories and rich in poly(phenols), has an essential role in mitigating the effects of inflammageing and extending healthspan through modulation of the activity of a range of factors. These include transcription factors, such as nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-kB), the inflammasome and the activities of the gut microbiota. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the potential of food to ameliorate the effects of the diseasome of aging.

Mass media pressure on psychological and healthy well-being. An explanatory model as a function of physical activity

Objectives

The present research aims to identify and establish the relationships between media pressure, psychological well-being, age, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. This objective is broken down into (a) developing an explanatory model of media pressure, psychological well-being, age, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet and (b) testing the structural model by means of a multi-group analysis according to physical activity level.

Material and methods

To this end, a quantitative, non-experimental (ex post facto), comparative and cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 634 participants (35.18 ± 9.68). The instruments used were an ad hoc questionnaire, the Spanish version of Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4), the Psychological Well-Being Scales (PWBS) and the Prevention with Mediterranean Diet (PREDIMED).

Conclusions

The data reveal that meeting the WHO physical activity criteria improves the relationships between media pressure, psychological well-being and healthy well-being.

Counteracting aged DNA methylation states to combat ageing and age-related diseases

DNA methylation (DNAm) overwrites information about multiple extrinsic factors on the genome. Age is one of these factors. Age causes characteristic DNAm changes that are thought to be not only major drivers of normal ageing but also precursors to diseases, cancer being one of these. Although there is still much to learn about the relationship between ageing, age-related diseases and DNAm, we now know how to interpret some of the effects caused by age in the form of changes in methylation marks at specific loci. In fact, these changes form the basis of the so called "epigenetic clocks", which translate the genomic methylation profile into an "epigenetic age". Epigenetic age does not only estimate chronological age but can also predict the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. Epigenetic age is believed to be one of the most accurate metrics of biological age. Initial evidence has recently been gathered pointing to the possibility that the rate of epigenetic ageing can be slowed down or even reversed. In this review, we discuss some of the most relevant advances in this field. Expected outcome is that this approach can provide insights into how to preserve health and reduce the impact of ageing diseases in humans.

Epigenetic Aging in Early Life: Role of Maternal and Early Childhood Nutrition

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Early life presents a pivotal period during which nutritional exposures are more likely to cause epigenetic modifications, which may impact an individual's health during adulthood. This article reviews the current evidence regarding maternal and early childhood nutritional exposures and their role in epigenetic aging.

RECENT FINDINGS

Maternal and early life consumption of diets higher in fiber, antioxidants, polyphenols, B vitamins, vitamin D, and ω-3 fatty acids is associated with slower epigenetic aging. Conversely, diets higher in glycemic load, fat, saturated fat, and ω-6 fatty acids demonstrate a positive association with epigenetic aging. Maternal and early life nutrition directly and indirectly influences epigenetic aging via changes in one-carbon metabolism, cardiometabolic health, and the microbiome. Clinical trials are warranted to determine the specific foods, dietary patterns, and dietary supplements that will normalize or lower epigenetic aging across the life course.

DNA methylation-based predictors of health: applications and statistical considerations

DNA methylation data have become a valuable source of information for biomarker development, because, unlike static genetic risk estimates, DNA methylation varies dynamically in relation to diverse exogenous and endogenous factors, including environmental risk factors and complex disease pathology. Reliable methods for genome-wide measurement at scale have led to the proliferation of epigenome-wide association studies and subsequently to the development of DNA methylation-based predictors across a wide range of health-related applications, from the identification of risk factors or exposures, such as age and smoking, to early detection of disease or progression in cancer, cardiovascular and neurological disease. This Review evaluates the progress of existing DNA methylation-based predictors, including the contribution of machine learning techniques, and assesses the uptake of key statistical best practices needed to ensure their reliable performance, such as data-driven feature selection, elimination of data leakage in performance estimates and use of generalizable, adequately powered training samples.

Contribution of Biological Age-Predictive Biomarkers to Nutrition Research: A Systematic Review of the Current Evidence and Implications for Future Research and Clinical Practice

The global population is living longer; however, not everyone ages at the same rate with regard to their physical and cognitive abilities and their vulnerability to certain diseases and death. This review aimed to synthesize the contribution of biological age-predictive biomarkers to nutrition research and highlight the implications for future research and clinical practice. MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL were systematically searched on 30 September 2021 for randomized controlled trials and cross-sectional studies examining the association between nutrition and biological age in older adults reporting on genetic, clinical, or molecular biomarkers of biological aging. Cochrane's ROB 2 and ROBINS-I were used to assess the quality of included studies. Synthesis was undertaken narratively. Of 1245 records identified from the search, 13 studies from 8 countries and territories, involving 5043 participants, were included. Seven studies assessed associations between nutrient food intake and telomere attrition, reporting protective effects for branched-chain amino acids, calcium and vitamin D, and a diet of a lower inflammatory index; whereas they found shorter telomeres in people consuming more processed foods and arachidonic acid and other proinflammatory compounds. Five studies examined the associations between plasma nutrition biomarkers and cognitive function, and found a protective effect for HDL cholesterol, lycopene, carotenoids, ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids, and vitamins B, C, D, and E; whereas trans fatty acids and fibrinogen correlated with a decline in cognitive function. One study used Horvath's clock and reported the epigenetic rejuvenation effect of a Mediterranean diet. In conclusion, biological aging was negatively associated with an anti-inflammatory diet. However, a few studies did not control for the confounding effect of other lifestyle factors. Future research should address this and also assess the synergistic effect of different nutrients, their combinations, and evaluate their dose-response relations. Nutrition practice can incorporate updated screening procedures for older people that include relevant biological aging nutrition markers, leading to anti-aging precision nutrition therapy. The methodology of this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021288122).

Targeting aging mechanisms: pharmacological perspectives

Geroprotectors slow down aging and promote healthy longevity in model animals. Although hundreds of compounds have been shown to extend the life of laboratory model organisms, clinical studies on potential geroprotectors are exceedingly rare, especially in healthy elders. This review aims to classify potential geroprotectors based on the mechanisms by which they influence aging. These pharmacological interventions can be classified into the following groups: those that prevent oxidation; proteostasis regulators; suppressors of genomic instability; epigenetic drugs; those that preserve mitochondrial function; inhibitors of aging-associated signaling pathways; hormetins; senolytics/senostatics; anti-inflammatory drugs; antifibrotic agents; neurotrophic factors; factors preventing the impairment of barrier function; immunomodulators; and prebiotics, metabiotics, and enterosorbents.

Association of Glyphosate Exposure with Blood DNA Methylation in a Cross-Sectional Study of Postmenopausal Women

BACKGROUND

Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide in the world and is purported to have a variety of health effects, including endocrine disruption and an elevated risk of several types of cancer. Blood DNA methylation has been shown to be associated with many other environmental exposures, but to our knowledge, no studies to date have examined the association between blood DNA methylation and glyphosate exposure.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted an epigenome-wide association study to identify DNA methylation loci associated with urinary glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) levels. Secondary goals were to determine the association of epigenetic age acceleration with glyphosate and AMPA and develop blood DNA methylation indices to predict urinary glyphosate and AMPA levels.

METHODS

For 392 postmenopausal women, white blood cell DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip array. Glyphosate and AMPA were measured in two urine samples per participant using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Methylation differences at the probe and regional level associated with glyphosate and AMPA levels were assessed using a resampling-based approach. Probes and regions that had an false discovery rate q < 0.1 in ≥ 90 % of 1,000 subsamples of the study population were considered differentially methylated. Differentially methylated sites from the probe-specific analysis were combined into a methylation index. Epigenetic age acceleration from three epigenetic clocks and an epigenetic measure of pace of aging were examined for associations with glyphosate and AMPA.

RESULTS

We identified 24 CpG sites whose methylation level was associated with urinary glyphosate concentration and two associated with AMPA. Four regions, within the promoters of the MSH4, KCNA6, ABAT, and NDUFAF2/ERCC8 genes, were associated with glyphosate levels, along with an association between ESR1 promoter hypomethylation and AMPA. The methylation index accurately predicted glyphosate levels in an internal validation cohort. AMPA, but not glyphosate, was associated with greater epigenetic age acceleration.

DISCUSSION

Glyphosate and AMPA exposure were associated with DNA methylation differences that could promote the development of cancer and other diseases. Further studies are warranted to replicate our results, determine the functional impact of glyphosate- and AMPA-associated differential DNA methylation, and further explore whether DNA methylation could serve as a biomarker of glyphosate exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10174.

Assessing the causal role of epigenetic clocks in the development of multiple cancers: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Epigenetic clocks have been associated with cancer risk in several observational studies. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether they play a causal role in cancer risk or if they act as a non-causal biomarker.

Methods

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to examine the genetically predicted effects of epigenetic age acceleration as measured by HannumAge (nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)), Horvath Intrinsic Age (24 SNPs), PhenoAge (11 SNPs), and GrimAge (4 SNPs) on multiple cancers (i.e. breast, prostate, colorectal, ovarian and lung cancer). We obtained genome-wide association data for biological ageing from a meta-analysis (N = 34,710), and for cancer from the UK Biobank (N cases = 2671-13,879; N controls = 173,493-372,016), FinnGen (N cases = 719-8401; N controls = 74,685-174,006) and several international cancer genetic consortia (N cases = 11,348-122,977; N controls = 15,861-105,974). Main analyses were performed using multiplicative random effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) MR. Individual study estimates were pooled using fixed effect meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses included MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode and Causal Analysis using Summary Effect Estimates (CAUSE) methods, which are robust to some of the assumptions of the IVW approach.

Results

Meta-analysed IVW MR findings suggested that higher GrimAge acceleration increased the risk of colorectal cancer (OR = 1.12 per year increase in GrimAge acceleration, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, p = 0.002). The direction of the genetically predicted effects was consistent across main and sensitivity MR analyses. Among subtypes, the genetically predicted effect of GrimAge acceleration was greater for colon cancer (IVW OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.09-1.21, p = 0.006), than rectal cancer (IVW OR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.97-1.13, p = 0.24). Results were less consistent for associations between other epigenetic clocks and cancers.

Conclusions

GrimAge acceleration may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Findings for other clocks and cancers were inconsistent. Further work is required to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the results.

Funding

FMB was supported by a Wellcome Trust PhD studentship in Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology (224982/Z/22/Z which is part of grant 218495/Z/19/Z). KKT was supported by a Cancer Research UK (C18281/A29019) programme grant (the Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme) and by the Hellenic Republic's Operational Programme 'Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship & Innovation' (OΠΣ 5047228). PH was supported by Cancer Research UK (C18281/A29019). RMM was supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol and by a Cancer Research UK (C18281/A29019) programme grant (the Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme). RMM is a National Institute for Health Research Senior Investigator (NIHR202411). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. GDS and CLR were supported by the Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00011/1 and MC_UU_00011/5, respectively) and by a Cancer Research UK (C18281/A29019) programme grant (the Integrative Cancer Epidemiology Programme). REM was supported by an Alzheimer's Society project grant (AS-PG-19b-010) and NIH grant (U01 AG-18-018, PI: Steve Horvath). RCR is a de Pass Vice Chancellor's Research Fellow at the University of Bristol.

Accelerated epigenetic aging and inflammatory/immunological profile (ipAGE) in patients with chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This failure can be related to a phenotype of accelerated aging. In this work, we considered 76 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and 83 healthy controls. We concomitantly evaluated for the first time two measures that can be informative of the rate of aging, i.e., whole blood DNA methylation using the Illumina Infinium EPIC array and plasma levels of a selection of inflammatory/immunological proteins using multiplex immunoassays. First of all, we demonstrated accelerated aging in terms of the most common epigenetic age estimators in CKD patients. Moreover, we developed a new clock/predictor of age based on the inflammatory/immunological profile (ipAGE) and identified the inflammatory/immunological biomarkers differentially expressed between cases and controls. IpAGE appeared to be more sensitive than epigenetic clocks in quantifying the accelerated aging phenotype of ESRD patients. Interestingly, we did not find any correlation between the age acceleration evaluated according to the epigenetic clocks and ipAGE in either the ESRD group or the control group. On the whole, our data show a consistent accelerated aging phenotype in ESRD patients, which is better appreciated by quantifying the underlying inflammatory processes (inflammaging) by ipAGE than by using epigenetic clocks.

Association of rs3027178 polymorphism in the circadian clock gene PER1 with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and longevity in an Italian population

Many physiological processes in the human body follow a 24-h circadian rhythm controlled by the circadian clock system. Light, sensed by retina, is the predominant “zeitgeber” able to synchronize the circadian rhythms to the light-dark cycles. Circadian rhythm dysfunction and sleep disorders have been associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the present study, we aimed at investigating the genetic variability of clock genes in AD patients compared to healthy controls from Italy. We also included a group of Italian centenarians, considered as super-controls in association studies given their extreme phenotype of successful aging. We analyzed the exon sequences of eighty-four genes related to circadian rhythms, and the most significant variants identified in this first discovery phase were further assessed in a larger independent cohort of AD patients by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The results identified a significant association between the rs3027178 polymorphism in the PER1 circadian gene with AD, the G allele being protective for AD. Interestingly, rs3027178 showed similar genotypic frequencies among AD patients and centenarians. These results collectively underline the relevance of circadian dysfunction in the predisposition to AD and contribute to the discussion on the role of the relationship between the genetics of age-related diseases and of longevity.

Epidemiological and genetic overlap among biological aging clocks: New challenges in biogerontology

Estimators of biological age (BA) - defined as the hypothetical underlying age of an organism - have attracted more and more attention in the last years, especially after the advent of new algorithms based on machine learning and genetic markers. While different aging clocks reportedly predict mortality in the general population, very little is known on their overlap. Here we review the evidence reported so far to support the existence of a partial overlap among different BA acceleration estimators, both from an epidemiological and a genetic perspective. On the epidemiological side, we review evidence supporting shared and independent influence on mortality risk of different aging clocks - including telomere length, brain, blood and epigenetic aging - and provide an overview of how an important exposure like diet may affect the different aging systems. On the genetic side, we apply linkage disequilibrium score regression analyses to support the existence of partly shared genomic overlap among these aging clocks. Through multivariate analysis of published genetic associations with these clocks, we also identified the most associated variants, genes, and pathways, which may affect common mechanisms underlying biological aging of different systems within the body. Based on our analyses, the most implicated pathways were involved in inflammation, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting them as potential molecular targets for future anti-aging interventions. Overall, this review is meant as a contribution to the knowledge on the overlap of aging clocks, trying to clarify their shared biological basis and epidemiological implications.

Biomarkers of geroprotection and cardiovascular health: An overview of omics studies and established clinical biomarkers in the context of diet

The slowdown, inhibition, or reversal of age-related decline (as a composite of disease, dysfunction, and, ultimately, death) by diet or natural compounds can be defined as dietary geroprotection. While there is no single reliable biomarker to judge the effects of dietary geroprotection, biomarker signatures based on omics (epigenetics, gene expression, microbiome composition) are promising candidates. Recently, omic biomarkers started to supplement established clinical ones such as lipid profiles and inflammatory cytokines. In this review, we focus on human data. We first summarize the current take on genetic biomarkers based on epidemiological studies. However, most of the remaining biomarkers that we describe, whether omics-based or clinical, are related to intervention studies. Then, because of their promising potential in the context of dietary geroprotection, we focus on the effects of berry-based interventions, which up to now have been mostly described employing clinical markers. We provide an aggregation and tabulation of all the recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses that we could find related to this topic. Finally, we present evidence for the importance of the "nutribiography," that is, the influence that an individual's history of diet and natural compound consumption can have on the effects of dietary geroprotection.

Healthy eating patterns and epigenetic measures of biological age

BACKGROUND

Healthy eating is associated with lower risks of disease and mortality, but the mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. Age is strongly related to health outcomes, and biological age can be estimated using the blood methylome.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether healthy eating patterns are associated with methylation-based measures of biological age.

METHODS

Among women in the Sister Study, we calculated scores on 4 recommendation-based healthy eating indexes [Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, Healthy Eating Index-2015, Alternative Healthy Eating Index (aHEI-2010), and the Alternative Mediterranean diet] using a validated 110-item Block FFQ completed at enrollment. Genome-wide DNA methylation data were generated using the HumanMethylation450 BeadChip on whole blood samples collected at enrollment from a case-cohort sample of 2694 women and were used to calculate 4 measures of epigenetic age acceleration (Hannum AgeAccel, Horvath AgeAccel, PhenoAgeAccel, and GrimAgeAccel). Linear regression models, adjusted for covariates and cohort sampling weights, were used to examine cross-sectional associations between eating patterns and measures of biological age.

RESULTS

All 4 healthy eating indexes had inverse associations with epigenetic age acceleration, most notably with PhenoAgeAccel and GrimAgeAccel. Of these, the strongest associations were for aHEI-2010 [per 1-SD increase in diet quality, PhenoAgeAccel β = -0.5 y (95% CI: -0.8 to -0.2 y) and GrimAgeAccel β = -0.4 y (95% CI: -0.6 to -0.3 y)]. Although effect modification was not observed for most lifestyle factors, in analyses stratified by physical activity, the benefits of a healthy diet on epigenetic age acceleration were more pronounced among women who did not meet physical activity guidelines (reporting <2.5 h/wk of exercise).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher diet quality is inversely associated with methylation-based measures of biological age. Improving diet could have the most benefits in lowering biological age among women with lower levels of physical activity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00047970.

The bioinformatics and experimental analysis of AlkB family for prognosis and immune cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Serving as N6-methyladenosine demethylases, the AlkB family is involved in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular profiles and clinical values of the AlkB family in HCC are not well known.

Methods

Several bioinformatics tools and in vitro experiments were used to identify the immune-related profiles and prognostic values of AlkB family in HCC.

Results

In this study expression levels of ALKBH1/2/3/4/7 were all remarkably increased in HCC tissues when compared with normal tissues. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to validate the expression of AlkB family members in HCC tissues and normal liver tissues. In addition, high expression levels of ALKBH4 were negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with HCC. Increased ALKBH4 was also associated with pathological stage in HCC patients. The molecular profiles of AlkB family in HCC were mainly associated with peptidyl-serine modification, peptidyl-tyrosine modification, regulation of metal ion transport, etc. Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating immune cell analysis indicated that ALKBH1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 and FTO were related to the infiltration of different immune cell, such as CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells. We also discovered that the methylation levels of ALKBH1/2/4/5/6/8 and FTO were remarkably reduced in HCC tissues.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings may deepen the understanding of specific molecular profiles of the AlkB family in HCC pathology. In particular, ALKBH4 could serve as a promising prognostic candidate for treating HCC, and these results might potentiate the development of more reliable therapeutic strategies for patients with HCC.

Effects of lifestyle interventions on epigenetic signatures of liver fat: Central randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In the CENTRAL trial context, we found diverse liver fat dynamics in response to different dietary interventions. Epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to the intraindividual variation. Moreover, genetic factors are involved in developing nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD), a disease reflected by an increase in intrahepatic fat (IHF). In this exploratory analysis, we primarily aimed to examine the effect of lifestyle interventions on DNA-methylation of NAFLD related genes associated with IHF.

METHODS

For 120 participants from the CENTRAL trial, an 18-month regimen of either low-fat (LF) or Mediterranean-low carbohydrate (MED/LC) diets, with or without physical activity (PA+/PA-), was instructed. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure IHF%, which was analysed for association with CpG specific DNA-methylation levels of 41 selected candidate genes. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms known to be associated with NAFLD within the studied genes were genotyped by TaqMan assays.

RESULTS

At baseline, participants (92% men; body mass index = 30.2 kg/m² ) had mean IHF of 10.7% (59% NAFLD). Baseline-IHF% was inversely correlated with DNA-methylation at individual CpGs within AC074286.1, CRACR2A, A2MP1, FARP1 (P < .05 for all multivariate models). FARP1 rs9584805 showed association with IHF, with the prevalence of NAFLD and baseline methylation level of the CpG site (cg00071727) associated with IHF%. Following 18-month lifestyle intervention, differential DNA-methylation patterns were observed between diets at cg14335324 annotated to A2MP1 (P = .04, LF vs. MED/LC), and differential DNA-methylation between PA groups within AC074286.1, CRACR2A, and FARP1 CpGs (P < .05 for all, PA-vs. PA+).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests epigenetic markers for IHF and potential epigenetic remodeling after long-term lifestyle interventions.

Exploring domains, clinical implications and environmental associations of a deep learning marker of biological ageing

Deep Neural Networks (DNN) have been recently developed for the estimation of Biological Age (BA), the hypothetical underlying age of an organism, which can differ from its chronological age (CA). Although promising, these population-specific algorithms warrant further characterization and validation, since their biological, clinical and environmental correlates remain largely unexplored. Here, an accurate DNN was trained to compute BA based on 36 circulating biomarkers in an Italian population (N = 23,858; age ≥ 35 years; 51.7% women). This estimate was heavily influenced by markers of metabolic, heart, kidney and liver function. The resulting Δage (BA-CA) significantly predicted mortality and hospitalization risk for all and specific causes. Slowed biological aging (Δage < 0) was associated with higher physical and mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles (e.g. adherence to Mediterranean diet) and higher socioeconomic status (educational attainment, household income and occupational status), while accelerated aging (Δage > 0) was associated with smoking and obesity. Together, lifestyles and socioeconomic variables explained ~48% of the total variance in Δage, potentially suggesting the existence of a genetic basis. These findings validate blood-based biological aging as a marker of public health in adult Italians and provide a robust body of knowledge on its biological architecture, clinical implications and potential environmental influences.