Association between alcohol consumption and DNA methylation in blood: A systematic review of observational studies

Dzevka Dragic, Sue Ling Chang, Kaoutar Ennour-Idrissi, Francine Durocher, Gianluca Severi, Caroline Diorio

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: We systematically reviewed and evaluated current literature on alcohol consumption and DNA methylation (DNAm) at the genome-wide and probe-wise level in blood of adults. Materials & methods: Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycInfo) were searched until 20 December 2020. Studies assessing the effect of alcohol dependence on DNAm were not eligible. Results: 11 cross-sectional studies were included with 88 to 9643 participants. Overall, all studies had a risk of bias criteria unclear or unmet. Epigenome-wide association studies identified between 0 and 5458 differentially methylated positions, and 15 were observed in at least four studies. Conclusion: Potential methylation markers for alcohol consumption have been identified, but further validation in large cohorts is needed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)793-810
Number of pages18
JournalEpigenomics
Volume14
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • DMP
  • DNA methylation
  • alcohol consumption
  • blood
  • differentially methylated positions
  • epigenetic biomarkers
  • systematic review

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