Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Research has shown that epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation may play a role in the development and progression of abnormal ovarian function and metabolic disorders in PCOS. Studies have identified specific genes (related with insulin signaling and steroid hormone metabolism) that are methylated in women with PCOS. DNA methylation appears to respond to various interventions aimed at altering health and lifestyle factors.
We tested the efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) in PCOS patients. We examined its effects on PCOS related clinical measures, mental health and wellbeing, and alterations in DNA methylation in peripheral blood. MBSR was associated with a reduction in body mass index and waist circumference, an improvement in subjectively perceived general health, emotional role limitation, and levels of pain, as well as mindfulness-like traits. MBSR reduced the expression of anxious symptomatology and subjectively perceived stress. Methylation changes were observed in four genes: COMT, FST, FKBP51, and MAOA.
According to our results, the effects of the MBSR program can be seen both in stress-related molecular signaling pathways and in signaling pathways that are more closely related to PCOS. We conclude that the MBSR program may be a useful adjunct therapy to alleviate the physical and psychological symptoms of PCOS and that it likely influences the molecular mechanisms of the disease. The study thus provided new evidence for the link between meditative practices such as mindfulness and potentially beneficial epigenetic changes in patients from different clinical populations.
|
