Effects of maternal vitamin B12deficiency from end of gestation to weaning on the growth and haematological and immunological parameters in mouse dams and offspring

Maternal methionine supplementation in mice affects long-term body weight and locomotor activity of adult female offspring

Methionine is a precursor of s-adenosylmethionine, the main donor of methyl radicals for methylation of DNA and other compounds. Previous studies have shown that reduced availability of methyl radicals during pregnancy/lactation decreased offspring perigonadal white adipose tissue (PWAT) and body weight. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation during early development, a time of great ontogenic plasticity, by assessing the biometric, biochemical and behavioural parameters of the offspring of adult Swiss female mice supplemented with 1 % methionine in water 1 month before pregnancy, during pregnancy or pregnancy/lactation. After birth, the offspring were distributed into three groups: control (CT), methionine supplementation during pregnancy (SP) and methionine supplementation during pregnancy and lactation (SPL), and were followed until postnatal day (PND) 300. No changes were observed in offspring birth weight in both sexes. At PND 5, 28 and 90, no differences in body weight were found in females; however, at PND 300, SP and SPL females showed an increase in body weight when compared with the control group. This increase in body weight was accompanied by a total and relative increase in PWAT, and a decrease in locomotor activity in these groups. No differences in the body and organ weights were found in male offspring. In conclusion, the increased availability of methyl radicals during pregnancy and lactation impacted long-term body composition and locomotor activity in female offspring.

Effects of Vitamin Forms and Levels on Vitamin Bioavailability and Growth Performance in Piglets

The objective of this study was to quantify the relative bioavailability of microencapsulated vitamins A and E in nursery pigs and compare the effects of vitamin forms and vitamin levels on the plasma vitamin content and growth performance of weaned piglets. In experiment (Exp.) 1, 12 nursery pigs (fitted with jugular catheters) were supplied at 0 h with non-microencapsulated or microencapsulated vitamin A and E. Blood samples were collected at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 16, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 36, 48, and 72 h after feeding to compare the bioavailability of oral vitamins A and E. In Exp. 2, a total of 216 crossbred weaned piglets were assigned to six treatments. This experiment was a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, with two factors for vitamin forms (non-microencapsulated and microencapsulated) and three factors for vitamin levels (the National Research Council level of vitamins, 75% commercial recommendations of vitamins (CRV) level, and a 100% CVR level). In Exp. 1, the relative bioavailability of microencapsulated vitamin E was significantly greater than that of non-microencapsulated vitamin E. In Exp. 2, the pigs fed diets containing 75% or 100% CRV levels of vitamins increased their growth performance and plasma vitamin concentrations compared to the control group. In conclusion, microencapsulation can improve the bioavailability of vitamins, and supplementation with high levels of vitamins was able to improve the growth performance of the piglets.

Novel Pathway for Corrinoid Compounds Production in Lactobacillus

Vitamin B₁₂ or cobalamin is an essential metabolite for humans, which makes it an interesting compound for many research groups that focus in different producer-strains synthesis pathways. In this work, we report the influence of key intermediaries for cobalamin synthesis added to the culture medium in two Lactobacillus (L.) strains, L. reuteri CRL 1098 and L. coryniformis CRL 1001. Here, we report that addition of Co²⁺ and 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole increased the corrinoid compounds production in both strains while addition of L-threonine increased only the corrinoid compounds production by CRL 1001 strain. Then, we purified and characterized by LC-MS the corrinoid compounds obtained. Physiological studies besides in silico analysis revealed that L. reuteri CRL 1098 and L. coryniformis CRL 1001 follow different pathways for the last steps of the corrinoid compounds synthesis.

Effects of Maternal and Progeny Dietary Vitamin Regimens on the Performance of Ducklings

This study evaluated the interaction effect of maternal and progeny vitamin regimens on the performance of ducklings. At 38 weeks of age, 780 female and 156 male duck breeders were fed either regular or high vitamin premix diet (maternal high premix had higher levels of all vitamins except K₃ than maternal regular premix) for 16 weeks. Ducklings hatched from eggs laid at the end of the duck breeder trial were kept separate according to maternal treatment and were fed 2 levels of vitamin premix (NRC and high, progeny high premix had higher levels of all vitamins except biotin than progeny NRC premix) for 35 days. Body weight (P<0.001) and tibia ash (P=0.033) of 1-day-old ducklings and serum total superoxide dismutase activity of 14-day-old ducklings (P=0.027) were increased by maternal high vitamin premix. Progeny high vitamin premix increased body weight (14 days, P=0.019; 35 days, P=0.034), body weight gain (1–14 days, P=0.021; 1–35 days, P=0.034), gain:feed ratio (1–14 days, P<0.001), feed intake (15–35 days, P=0.037), serum total antioxidant capacity (14 days, P=0.048; 35 days, P=0.047), and serum calcium (14 days, P=0.007), and decreased serum malondialdehyde (14 days, P=0.038; 35 days, P=0.031) of ducklings. Maternal vitamin premix–progeny vitamin premix interaction significantly affected body weight (14 days, P=0.029), body weight gain (1–14 days, P=0.029), and feed intake (1–14 days, P=0.018) of progeny ducklings. Briefly, progeny NRC premix decreased the growth performance (days 1–14) of ducklings from maternal regular vitamin group, but not duckling from maternal high vitamin group. The results demonstrate a shortcoming of current vitamin recommendations for ducklings and suggest that the vitamin needs of starter ducklings can be met by either maternal or progeny vitamin supplementation.

Infection Susceptibility in Gastric Intrinsic Factor (Vitamin B12)-Defective Mice Is Subject to Maternal Influences

Mice harboring a mutation in the gene encoding gastric intrinsic factor (Gif), a protein essential for the absorption of vitamin B12/cobalamin (Cbl), have potential as a model to explore the role of vitamins in infection. The levels of Cbl in the blood of Gif(tm1a/tm1a) mutant mice were influenced by the maternal genotype, with offspring born to heterozygous (high Cbl, F1) mothers exhibiting a significantly higher serum Cbl level than those born to homozygous (low Cbl, F2) equivalents. Low Cbl levels correlated with susceptibility to an infectious challenge with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium or Citrobacter rodentium, and this susceptibility phenotype was moderated by Cbl administration. Transcriptional and metabolic profiling revealed that Cbl deficient mice exhibited a bioenergetic shift similar to a metabolic phenomenon commonly found in cancerous cells under hypoxic conditions known as the Warburg effect, with this metabolic effect being exacerbated further by infection. Our findings demonstrate a role for Cbl in bacterial infection, with potential general relevance to dietary deficiency and infection susceptibility.

IMPORTANCE

Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem in countries with weak infrastructures. In communities with a high prevalence of poor diet, malnourishment and infectious disease can impact vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women and children. Here, we describe a highly flexible murine model for monitoring maternal and environmental influences of vitamin B12 metabolism. We also demonstrate the potential importance of vitamin B12 in controlling susceptibility to bacterial pathogens such as C. rodentium and S Typhimurium. We postulate that this model, along with similarly vitamin deficient mice, could be used to further explore the mechanisms associated with micronutrients and susceptibility to diseases, thereby increasing our understanding of disease in the malnourished.

Enhancing vitamin B12 content in soy-yogurt by Lactobacillus reuteri

More attention from the aged and vegetarians has been paid to soy-product due to its taste, easy digestibility, as well as the association with health. However, soy-product has a defect of low vitamin content, mainly the water-soluble vitamin B12. This study was to investigate co-fermentation of glycerol and fructose in soy-yogurt to enhance vitamin B12 production by Lactobacillus reuteri. After a serial combination experiments, the co-fermentation was confirmed to enhance the production of vitamin B12 up to 18 μg/100mL. Both supplementations induced the expression of cobT and cbiA and functioned to balance the redox reaction. Meanwhile, high content of fructose supplementation reduced the production of vitamin B12 and suppressed expression of cobT in bacteria. It was proved that the vitamin B12 content of this soy-yogurt is higher than other fermented soybean based food and thus can be served as an alternative food for the aged and vegetarians.

Moderate physical training attenuates perinatal low-protein-induced spleen lymphocyte apoptosis in endotoxemic adult offspring rats

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of a moderate physical training (T) on the blood and splenic lymphocytes subsets and the rate of apoptosis in adult offspring submitted to perinatal low-protein (LP) diet.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were divided according to their mother's diet: control (C, 17 % casein) and undernourished (LP, 8 % casein). At the 60th day, pups were submitted to moderate physical training (8 weeks, 5 days week(-1), 60 min day(-1), at 70 % of VO2max). After T period, pups received an injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). B, NK, and TCD3+ lymphocytes subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Spleen lymphocytes apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine externalization (PSE), and mitochondrial transmembrane depolarization (MTD) using a flow cytometer. Plasma TNF-α concentrations were analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTS

LP + LPS pups showed a higher percentage of blood B, CD4+, and NK and a reduction in TCD3+, CD8+ than C pups. The percentage of NK and CD3+ was restored in LP + T + LPS pups. In the spleen, T normalized the percentage of NK in LP + LPS pups. LP + LPS pups showed a higher percentage of cells with PSE and MTD than C + LPS pups that was attenuated by T. The concentration of TNF-α was higher in LP + LPS than C + LPS, but it was attenuated in LP + T + LPS pups.

CONCLUSION

Moderate physical training was able to revert the effects of perinatal LP diet on circulation lymphocytes subsets and attenuated splenic lymphocytes apoptosis and plasma TNF-α concentrations.

Maternal stress, nutrition and physical activity: Impact on immune function, CNS development and psychopathology

Evidence suggests that maternal and fetal immune dysfunction may impact fetal brain development and could play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders, although the definitive pathophysiological mechanisms are still not completely understood. Stress, malnutrition and physical inactivity are three maternal behavioral lifestyle factors that can influence immune and central nervous system (CNS) functions in both the mother and fetus, and may therefore, increase risk for neurodevelopmental/psychiatric disorders. First, we will briefly review some aspects of maternal-fetal immune system interactions and development of immune tolerance. Second, we will discuss the bidirectional communication between the immune system and CNS and the pathways by which immune dysfunction could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Third, we will discuss the effects of prenatal stress and malnutrition (over and undernutrition) on perinatal programming of the CNS and immune system, and how this might influence neurodevelopment. Finally, we will discuss the beneficial impact of physical fitness during pregnancy on the maternal-fetal unit and infant and how regular physical activity and exercise can be an effective buffer against stress- and inflammatory-related disorders. Although regular physical activity has been shown to promote neuroplasticity and an anti-inflammatory state in the adult, there is a paucity of studies evaluating its impact on CNS and immune function during pregnancy. Implementing stress reduction, proper nutrition and ample physical activity during pregnancy and the childbearing period may be an efficient strategy to counteract the impact of maternal stress and malnutrition/obesity on the developing fetus. Such behavioral interventions could have an impact on early development of the CNS and immune system and contribute to the prevention of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Further research is needed to elucidate this relationship and the underlying mechanisms of protection. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroimmunology in Health And Disease.

Early methyl donor deficiency may induce persistent brain defects by reducing Stat3 signaling targeted by miR-124

The methyl donors folate (vitamin B9) and vitamin B12 are centrepieces of the one-carbon metabolism that has a key role in transmethylation reactions, and thus in epigenetic and epigenomic regulations. Low dietary intakes of folate and vitamin B12 are frequent, especially in pregnant women and in the elderly, and deficiency constitutes a risk factor for various diseases, including neurological and developmental disorders. In this respect, both vitamins are essential for normal brain development, and have a role in neuroplasticity and in the maintenance of neuronal integrity. The consequences of a methyl donor deficiency (MDD) were studied both in vivo in rats exposed in utero, and in vitro in hippocampal progenitors (H19-7 cell line). Deficiency was associated with growth retardation at embryonic day 20 (E20) and postnatally with long-term brain defects in selective areas. mRNA and protein levels of the transcription factor Stat3 were found to be decreased in the brains of deprived fetuses and in differentiating progenitors (62 and 48% for total Stat3 protein, respectively), along with a strong reduction in its phosphorylation at both Tyr⁷⁰⁵ and Ser⁷²⁷ residues. Vitamin shortage also affected upstream kinases of Stat3 signaling pathway (phospho-Erk1/2, phospho-Src, phospho-JNK, and phospho-p38) as well as downstream target gene products (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL), thus promoting apoptosis. Conversely, the expression of the Stat3 regulator miR-124 was upregulated in deficiency conditions (≥65%), and its silencing by using siRNA partly restored Stat3 signaling in hippocampal neurons by increasing specifically the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Src kinases. Furthermore, miR-124 siRNA improved the phenotype of deprived cells, with enhanced neurite outgrowth. Taken together, our data suggest that downregulation of Stat3 signaling by miR-124 would be a key factor in the deleterious effects of MDD on brain development.

B-group vitamin production by lactic acid bacteria--current knowledge and potential applications

Although most vitamins are present in a variety of foods, human vitamin deficiencies still occur in many countries, mainly because of malnutrition not only as a result of insufficient food intake but also because of unbalanced diets. Even though most lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are auxotrophic for several vitamins, it is now known that certain strains have the capability to synthesize water-soluble vitamins such as those included in the B-group (folates, riboflavin and vitamin B(12) amongst others). This review article will show the current knowledge of vitamin biosynthesis by LAB and show how the proper selection of starter cultures and probiotic strains could be useful in preventing clinical and subclinical vitamin deficiencies. Here, several examples will be presented where vitamin-producing LAB led to the elaboration of novel fermented foods with increased and bioavailable vitamins. In addition, the use of genetic engineering strategies to increase vitamin production or to create novel vitamin-producing strains will also be discussed. This review will show that the use of vitamin-producing LAB could be a cost-effective alternative to current vitamin fortification programmes and be useful in the elaboration of novel vitamin-enriched products.