Platelet mitochondrial DNA methylation and micronutrient supplementation for CVD prevention.

Despite epigenetic regulation in the genomic DNA has been previously reported to play a role in cardiovascular disease (CVD)[1], mitochondrial epigenetics represents a new emerging field of research[2]. This study investigates the effect of physical activity, leucine and carnitine supplementation on platelets mtDNA methylation, lipid profile and Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) level in a group of aged women. Over a period of 24-weeks, all subjects participated in the resistance training program twice a week with or without L-leucine or L-carnitine-L-tartrate supplementation. Fasting blood samples were collected for evaluation of lipid profile, TMAO and platelet mitochondrial epigenetics. Data analyses revealed that carnitine supplementation significantly alters mtDNA methylation at D-loop region but not MT-CO1 mitochondrial gene. Results will be discussed considering the impact of micronutrient supplementation on mtDNA methylation and its interplay with lipid profile and TMAO level.