Published online Feb 21, 2023. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i7.1219
Peer-review started: September 28, 2022
First decision: December 12, 2022
Revised: December 26, 2022
Accepted: February 13, 2023
Article in press: February 13, 2023
Published online: February 21, 2023
Dietary methyl donors might influence DNA methylation during carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, whether the influence of methyl donor in
To improve the current understanding of the molecular basis of CRC.
A literature search in the Medline database, Reference Citation Analysis (https://www.referencecitationanalysis.com/), and manual reference screening were performed to identify observational studies published from inception to May 2022.
A total of fourteen case-control studies and five cohort studies were identified. These studies included information on dietary methyl donors, dietary components that potentially modulate the bioavailability of methyl groups, genetic variants of methyl metabolizing enzymes, and/or markers of CpG island methylator phenotype and/or microsatellite instability, and their possible inter
Several studies have suggested interactions between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms, methyl donor nutrients (such as folate) and alcohol on CRC risk. Moreover, vitamin B6, niacin, and alcohol may affect CRC risk through not only genetic but also epigenetic regulation. Identification of specific mechanisms in these interactions associated with CRC may assist in developing targeted prevention strategies for individuals at the highest risk of developing CRC.
Core Tip: Dietary methyl donors might influence DNA methylation during the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, whether the influence of methyl donor intake is modified by polymorphisms in such epigenetic regulators is still unclear. We conducted a systematic review on this topic to improve the current understanding of the molecular basis of CRC. Several studies have suggested interactions between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms, methyl donor nutrients (such as folate) and alcohol on CRC risk. Moreover, vitamin B6, niacin, and alcohol may affect CRC risk through not only genetic but also epigenetic regulation.