Abstract:

[Abstract] Objective  To observe the effects of methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinamia (HHCY) on methylation status of myocardial B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in rats. Methods  Twenty two healthy five-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and HHCY group (n=11 for each group). Rats were given ordinary food in control group. Rats were received ordinary food and methionine [1 g/(kg·d),orally] in HHCY group. Rats were sacrificed and blood samples were taken from heart of rats after 20 weeks. The serum homocysteine (Hcy) was detected with automatic biochemistry analyzer. Methylation-specific PCR and Nested PCR were used to examine methylation status of myocardial Bcl-2 and Bax. Results  The serum homocysteine was significantly higher in HHCY group than that of control group (P < 0.01). The hypermethylation happened in bcl-2 promoter region in HHCY group compared to that of control group (P < 0.05). The demethylation happened in Bax promoter region of HHCY group compared to that of control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion  The effects of HHCY on myocardial Bcl-2 and Bax methylation status are different，suggesting that there may be deeper mechanisms.

Key words: homocysteine, hyperhomocysteinemia, genes, bcl-2, bcl-2-associated X protein, DNA methylation, rats, Wistar