Background: Violence against women is a relevant health and social problem with negative consequences on women’s health. The interaction between genome and environmental factors, such as violence, represents one of the major challenges in molecular medicine. The Epigenetics for WomEn (EpiWE) project is a multidisciplinary pilot study that intends to investigate the epigenetic signatures associated with intimate partner and sexual violence-induced stress-related disorders. Materials and Methods: In 2020, 62 women exposed to violence (13 women suffering from sexual violence and 49 from Intimate Partner Violence, IPV) and 50 women with no history of violence were recruited at the Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence. All women aged 18–65 were monitored for their physical and psychological conditions. Blood samples were collected, and DNAs were extracted and underwent the epigenetic analysis of 10 stress-related genes. Results: PTSD prevalence in victims was assessed at 8.1%. Quantitative methylation evaluation of the ten selected trauma/stress-related genes revealed the differential iper-methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, dopamine receptor D2 and insulin-like growth factor 2 genes. These genes are among those related to brain plasticity, learning, and memory pathways. Conclusions: The association of early detection of posttraumatic distress and epigenetic marker identification could represent a new avenue for addressing women survivors toward resilience. This innovative approach in gender-based violence studies could identify new molecular pathways associated with the long-term effects of violence and implement innovative protocols of precision medicine.

Violence against Women and Stress-Related Disorders: Seeking for Associated Epigenetic Signatures, a Pilot Study / A. Piccinini, P. Bailo, G. Barbara, M. Miozzo, S. Tabano, P. Colapietro, C. Farè, S.M. Sirchia, E. Battaglioli, P. Bertuccio, G. Manenti, L. Micci, C. La Vecchia, A. Kustermann, S. Gaudi. - In: HEALTHCARE. - ISSN 2227-9032. - 11:2(2023 Jan), pp. 173.1-173.9. [10.3390/healthcare11020173]

Violence against Women and Stress-Related Disorders: Seeking for Associated Epigenetic Signatures, a Pilot Study

A. Piccinini
Primo
;
G. Barbara;M. Miozzo;S. Tabano;P. Colapietro;S.M. Sirchia;E. Battaglioli;C. La Vecchia;
2023

Abstract

Background: Violence against women is a relevant health and social problem with negative consequences on women’s health. The interaction between genome and environmental factors, such as violence, represents one of the major challenges in molecular medicine. The Epigenetics for WomEn (EpiWE) project is a multidisciplinary pilot study that intends to investigate the epigenetic signatures associated with intimate partner and sexual violence-induced stress-related disorders. Materials and Methods: In 2020, 62 women exposed to violence (13 women suffering from sexual violence and 49 from Intimate Partner Violence, IPV) and 50 women with no history of violence were recruited at the Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence. All women aged 18–65 were monitored for their physical and psychological conditions. Blood samples were collected, and DNAs were extracted and underwent the epigenetic analysis of 10 stress-related genes. Results: PTSD prevalence in victims was assessed at 8.1%. Quantitative methylation evaluation of the ten selected trauma/stress-related genes revealed the differential iper-methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, dopamine receptor D2 and insulin-like growth factor 2 genes. These genes are among those related to brain plasticity, learning, and memory pathways. Conclusions: The association of early detection of posttraumatic distress and epigenetic marker identification could represent a new avenue for addressing women survivors toward resilience. This innovative approach in gender-based violence studies could identify new molecular pathways associated with the long-term effects of violence and implement innovative protocols of precision medicine.
sexual violence; intimate partner violence; epigenetics; PTSD; clinical forensic medicine; stress related disorders
Settore MED/01 - Statistica Medica
Settore MED/03 - Genetica Medica
Settore MED/40 - Ginecologia e Ostetricia
Settore MED/42 - Igiene Generale e Applicata
Settore MED/43 - Medicina Legale
gen-2023
6-gen-2023
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/950803
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