Differential ESR1 promoter Methylation in the peripheral blood of healthy middle-aged and older women- findings from the women 40+ healthy aging study

<p><span><b>Background</b> <a name="_Hlk24051013">Estrogen receptor alpha (ER</a>α) contributes to maintain biological processes preserving health during aging. DNA methylation changes of ERα<i> </i>gene (<i>ESR1</i>) were established as playing a direct role in the regulation of ERα levels. In this study, we hypothesized decreased DNA methylation of <i>ESR1</i> associated with postmenopause, lower estradiol levels and increased age among healthy middle-aged and older women. </span></p> <p><span><b>Methods</b> We assessed DNA methylation of <i>ESR1 </i>promoter region from dried blood spots and estradiol from saliva samples, among 130 healthy women aged 40-73 years. </span></p> <p><span><b>Results</b> We found that postmenopause and lower estradiol levels were associated with lower DNA methylation of a distal regulatory region, but not with DNA methylation of proximal promoters.</span></p> <p><span><b>Conclusion</b> Our results indicate possible adaptive changes of <i>ESR1</i> methylation in women healthy aging.</span></p>