Association between the Extent of Peripheral Blood DNA Methylation of <i>HIF3A</i> and Accumulation of Adiposity in community-dwelling Women: The Yakumo Study

DNA methylation in the CpG sites of intron 1 of HIF3A is associated with body mass index (BMI). This cross-sectional study investigated correlations between DNA methylation of HIF3A and BMI or adiposity parameters in the Japanese population. DNA methylation of HIF3A was quantified via pyrosequencing. DNA methylation of HIF3A differed only in women; DNA methylation level at cg27146050 was associated with visceral adipose tissue thickness and correlated with BMI and percent (%) body fat after excluding smokers. Peripheral blood DNA methylation at the CpG site (cg27146050) of HIF3A correlated with VAT thickness in Japanese women.</p