DNA methylation of NOS genes and carotid intima-media thickness in children

Carotid intima-media thickness, a biomarker for atherosclerosis, is associated with cardiovascular disease risk in adults. Atherosclerosis is a lifelong process that begins in childhood. Nitric Oxide (NO) plays an important role in cardiovascular health by maintaining and regulating vascular tone and blood flow. It remains unclear as to how the epigenetic regulation of nitric oxide synthase, the gene responsible for nitric oxide production, affects carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in children. Data from a subset of 377 participants from the Children’s Health Study on whom buccal cell DNA and CIMT measurements were collected were analyzed to determine whether DNA methylation in NOS genes was associated with CIMT. Results showed that an increase in DNA methylation of NOS1 was significantly associated with an increase in CIMT measurements in children. Our study suggests that DNA methylation of NOS genes is associated with CIMT in children, which may help to advance the understanding of biological processes contributing to atherosclerosis even at an early age.