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Donato L, Mordà D, Scimone C, Alibrandi S, D'Angelo R, Sidoti A. From powerhouse to regulator: The role of mitoepigenetics in mitochondrion-related cellular functions and human diseases. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 218:105-119. [PMID: 38565400 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Beyond their crucial role in energy production, mitochondria harbor a distinct genome subject to epigenetic regulation akin to that of nuclear DNA. This paper delves into the nascent but rapidly evolving fields of mitoepigenetics and mitoepigenomics, exploring the sophisticated regulatory mechanisms governing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). These mechanisms encompass mtDNA methylation, the influence of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and post-translational modifications of mitochondrial proteins. Together, these epigenetic modifications meticulously coordinate mitochondrial gene transcription, replication, and metabolism, thereby calibrating mitochondrial function in response to the dynamic interplay of intracellular needs and environmental stimuli. Notably, the dysregulation of mitoepigenetic pathways is increasingly implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction and a spectrum of human pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular conditions. This comprehensive review synthesizes the current state of knowledge, emphasizing recent breakthroughs and innovations in the field. It discusses the potential of high-resolution mitochondrial epigenome mapping, the diagnostic and prognostic utility of blood or tissue mtDNA epigenetic markers, and the promising horizon of mitochondrial epigenetic drugs. Furthermore, it explores the transformative potential of mitoepigenetics and mitoepigenomics in precision medicine. Exploiting a theragnostic approach to maintaining mitochondrial allostasis, this paper underscores the pivotal role of mitochondrial epigenetics in charting new frontiers in medical science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Donato
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122, Messina, Italy; Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.) 90139 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Domenico Mordà
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.) 90139 Palermo, Italy; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122, Messina, Italy.
| | - Concetta Scimone
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122, Messina, Italy; Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.) 90139 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Simona Alibrandi
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122, Messina, Italy; Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.) 90139 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Rosalia D'Angelo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122, Messina, Italy.
| | - Antonina Sidoti
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122, Messina, Italy.
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Ngema M, Xulu ND, Ngubane PS, Khathi A. Pregestational Prediabetes Induces Maternal Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Dysregulation and Results in Adverse Foetal Outcomes. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5431. [PMID: 38791468 PMCID: PMC11122116 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been shown to result in foetal programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to adverse foetal outcomes. T2DM is preceded by prediabetes and shares similar pathophysiological complications. However, no studies have investigated the effects of maternal prediabetes on foetal HPA axis function and postnatal offspring development. Hence, this study investigated the effects of pregestational prediabetes on maternal HPA axis function and postnatal offspring development. Pre-diabetic (PD) and non-pre-diabetic (NPD) female Sprague Dawley rats were mated with non-prediabetic males. After gestation, male pups born from the PD and NPD groups were collected. Markers of HPA axis function, adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone, were measured in all dams and pups. Glucose tolerance, insulin and gene expressions of mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors were further measured in all pups at birth and their developmental milestones. The results demonstrated increased basal concentrations of ACTH and corticosterone in the dams from the PD group by comparison to NPD. Furthermore, the results show an increase basal ACTH and corticosterone concentrations, disturbed MR and GR gene expression, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance assessed via the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) indices in the pups born from the PD group compared to NPD group at all developmental milestones. These observations reveal that pregestational prediabetes is associated with maternal dysregulation of the HPA axis, impacting offspring HPA axis development along with impaired glucose handling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andile Khathi
- School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4041, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa; (M.N.); (N.D.X.); (P.S.N.)
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3
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Nikolic A, Fahlbusch P, Riffelmann NK, Wahlers N, Jacob S, Hartwig S, Kettel U, Schiller M, Dille M, Al-Hasani H, Kotzka J, Knebel B. Chronic stress alters hepatic metabolism and thermodynamic respiratory efficiency affecting epigenetics in C57BL/6 mice. iScience 2024; 27:109276. [PMID: 38450153 PMCID: PMC10915629 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress episodes increase metabolic disease risk even after recovery. We propose that persistent stress detrimentally impacts hepatic metabolic reprogramming, particularly mitochondrial function. In male C57BL/6 mice chronic variable stress (Cvs) reduced energy expenditure (EE) and body mass despite increased energy intake versus controls. This coincided with decreased glucose metabolism and increased lipid β-oxidation, correlating with EE. After Cvs, mitochondrial function revealed increased thermodynamic efficiency (ƞ-opt) of complex CI, positively correlating with blood glucose and NEFA and inversely with EE. After Cvs recovery, the metabolic flexibility of hepatocytes was lost. Reduced CI-driving NAD+/NADH ratio, and diminished methylation-related one-carbon cycle components hinted at epigenetic regulation. Although initial DNA methylation differences were minimal after Cvs, they diverged during the recovery phase. Here, the altered enrichment of mitochondrial DNA methylation and linked transcriptional networks were observed. In conclusion, Cvs rapidly initiates the reprogramming of hepatic energy metabolism, supported by lasting epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Nikolic
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Pia Fahlbusch
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Nele-Kathrien Riffelmann
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Natalie Wahlers
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Sylvia Jacob
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Sonja Hartwig
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Ulrike Kettel
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Martina Schiller
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Matthias Dille
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Hadi Al-Hasani
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- Medical Faculty Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jörg Kotzka
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Birgit Knebel
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Partner Duesseldorf, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
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Paul B, Buchholz DR. Minireview: Glucocorticoid-Leptin Crosstalk: Role of Glucocorticoid-Leptin Counterregulation in Metabolic Homeostasis and Normal Development. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1127-1139. [PMID: 37708034 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids and leptin are two important hormones that regulate metabolic homeostasis by controlling appetite and energy expenditure in adult mammals. Also, glucocorticoids and leptin strongly counterregulate each other, such that chronic stress-induced glucocorticoids upregulate the production of leptin and leptin suppresses glucocorticoid production directly via action on endocrine organs and indirectly via action on food intake. Altered glucocorticoid or leptin levels during development can impair organ development and increase the risk of chronic diseases in adults, but there are limited studies depicting the significance of glucocorticoid-leptin interaction during development and its impact on developmental programming. In mammals, leptin-induced suppression of glucocorticoid production is critical during development, where leptin prevents stress-induced glucocorticoid production by inducing a period of short-hyporesponsiveness when the adrenal glands fail to respond to certain mild to moderate stressors. Conversely, reduced or absent leptin signaling increases glucocorticoid levels beyond what is appropriate for normal organogenesis. The counterregulatory interactions between leptin and glucocorticoids suggest the potential significant involvement of leptin in disorders that occur from stress during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidisha Paul
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Daniel R Buchholz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
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Vlahos A, Rallis D, Lianou A, Baltogianni M, Dermitzaki N, Maragoudaki E, Papastergiou E, Tzallas C, Tsabouri S, Makis A, Siomou E, Milionis H, Giapros V. Serum PCSK9 levels in infants with deviant birth weight: a biomarker of the lipoprotein metabolism. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2023; 36:2188108. [PMID: 36906794 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2188108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin-Type 9 (PCSK9), a modulator of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol metabolism, has been reported to be a promising biomarker for evaluating lipoprotein metabolism; however, evidence in infants is limited. In the current study, we sought to investigate potential differences in serum PCSK9 levels between infants with deviant birth weight and controls. METHODS We enrolled 82 infants, classified into 33 small (SGA), 32 appropriate (AGA), and 17 large for gestation (LGA) infants. Serum PCSK9 was measured on routine blood analysis within the first postnatal 48 h. RESULTS PCSK9 was significantly higher in SGA as compared to AGA and LGA infants [322 (236-431) as compared to 263 (217-302) and 218 (194-291) ng/ml respectively, p = .011]. In comparison to term AGA infants, PCSK9 was significantly elevated in preterm AGA and SGA infants. We also found a significantly higher level of PCSK9 in term female SGA infants as compared to term male SGA infants [325 (293-377) as compared to 174 (163-216) ng/ml, p = .011]. PCSK9 was significantly correlated with gestational age (R = -0.404, p < .001), birth weight (R = -0.419, p < .001), total cholesterol (R = 0.248, p = .028) and LDL cholesterol (R = 0.370, p = .001). SGA status (OR 2.56, p = .004, 95% CI 1.83-4.28) and prematurity (OR 3.10, p = .001, 95% CI 1.39-4.82) were strongly related to serum PCSK9 levels. CONCLUSION PCSK9 levels were significantly associated with total and LDL cholesterol. Moreover, PCSK9 levels were higher in preterm and SGA infants, suggesting that PCSK9 might be a promising biomarker for evaluating infants with increased later cardiovascular risk.HighlightsWhat's already known? Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin-Type 9 (PCSK9) is a promising biomarker for evaluating lipoprotein metabolism; however, evidence in infants is limited. Infants that were born with a deviant birth weight have a unique lipoprotein metabolism profile.What this study adds? Serum PCSK9 levels were significantly associated with total and LDL cholesterol. PCSK9 levels were higher in preterm and small for gestation infants, suggesting that PCSK9 might be a promising biomarker for evaluating infants with increased later cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Vlahos
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Rallis
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Alexandra Lianou
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Maria Baltogianni
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Niki Dermitzaki
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Eleni Maragoudaki
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Eleni Papastergiou
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christos Tzallas
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Sophia Tsabouri
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Alexandros Makis
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ekaterini Siomou
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Haralambos Milionis
- First Division of Internal medicine, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Vasileios Giapros
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Ioannina, School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece
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6
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Grilo LF, Zimmerman KD, Puppala S, Chan J, Huber HF, Li G, Jadhav AYL, Wang B, Li C, Clarke GD, Register TC, Oliveira PJ, Nathanielsz PW, Olivier M, Pereira SP, Cox LA. Cardiac Molecular Analysis Reveals Aging-Associated Metabolic Alterations Promoting Glycosaminoglycans Accumulation Via Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.17.567640. [PMID: 38014295 PMCID: PMC10680868 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.17.567640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Age is a prominent risk factor for cardiometabolic disease, and often leads to heart structural and functional changes. However, precise molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac remodeling and dysfunction resulting from physiological aging per se remain elusive. Understanding these mechanisms requires biological models with optimal translation to humans. Previous research demonstrated that baboons undergo age-related reduction in ejection fraction and increased heart sphericity, mirroring changes observed in humans. The goal of this study was to identify early cardiac molecular alterations that precede functional adaptations, shedding light on the regulation of age-associated changes. We performed unbiased transcriptomics of left ventricle (LV) samples from female baboons aged 7.5-22.1 years (human equivalent ~30-88 years). Weighted-gene correlation network and pathway enrichment analyses were performed to identify potential age-associated mechanisms in LV, with histological validation. Myocardial modules of transcripts negatively associated with age were primarily enriched for cardiac metabolism, including oxidative phosphorylation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, and fatty-acid β-oxidation. Transcripts positively correlated with age suggest upregulation of glucose uptake, pentose phosphate pathway, and hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), indicating a metabolic shift towards glucose-dependent anabolic pathways. Upregulation of HBP commonly results in increased glycosaminoglycan precursor synthesis. Transcripts involved in glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modification, and intermediate metabolism were also upregulated in older animals, while glycosaminoglycan degradation transcripts were downregulated with age. These alterations would promote glycosaminoglycan accumulation, which was verified histologically. Upregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM)-induced signaling pathways temporally coincided with glycosaminoglycan accumulation. We found a subsequent upregulation of cardiac hypertrophy-related pathways and an increase in cardiomyocyte width. Overall, our findings revealed a transcriptional shift in metabolism from catabolic to anabolic pathways that leads to ECM glycosaminoglycan accumulation through HBP prior to upregulation of transcripts of cardiac hypertrophy-related pathways. This study illuminates cellular mechanisms that precede development of cardiac hypertrophy, providing novel potential targets to remediate age-related cardiac diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís F. Grilo
- CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, PDBEB - Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Kip D. Zimmerman
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Section on Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Sobha Puppala
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Section on Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jeannie Chan
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Section on Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Hillary F. Huber
- Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ge Li
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Avinash Y. L. Jadhav
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Benlian Wang
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Cun Li
- Texas Pregnancy & Life-Course Health Research Center, Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
| | - Geoffrey D. Clarke
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Thomas C. Register
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Paulo J. Oliveira
- CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Peter W. Nathanielsz
- Texas Pregnancy & Life-Course Health Research Center, Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
| | - Michael Olivier
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Section on Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Susana P. Pereira
- CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LaMetEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Laura A. Cox
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Section on Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Whatley EG, Truong TT, Harvey AJ, Gardner DK. Preimplantation embryo exposure to ketone bodies exerts sex-specific effects on mouse fetal and placental transcriptomes. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:103320. [PMID: 37748369 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does in vitro exposure of preimplantation mouse embryos to the ketone bodies β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) and acetoacetate (AcAc) impact post-transfer fetal and placental gene expression? DESIGN Blastocysts cultured in vitro with or without 2 mmol/l βOHB alone ('βOHB') or combined with 0.8 mmol/l AcAc ('Keto') underwent embryo transfer. Transcriptional profiles of sexed placenta, liver and brain at gestational day 14.5 were examined via RNA sequencing and DAVID functional analysis. RESULTS A sexually dimorphic response to in vitro ketone exposure was observed. Both βOHB and Keto exposure down-regulated genes related to oxidative phosphorylation specifically in female liver. βOHB down-regulated female placental steroid biosynthetic processes, while Keto treatment up-regulated genes relevant to blood vessel formation and cell migration in male placenta. Brain transcriptomes were minimally affected. X-linked genes and chromatin modifiers were identified as differentially expressed in both liver and placenta, alluding to a sex-specific regulatory mechanism. CONCLUSIONS Transient preimplantation ketone exposure perturbs sex-specific fetal liver and placental gene expression, demonstrating a developmental programming effect that warrants future investigation of the postnatal metabolic health of male and female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G Whatley
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Thi T Truong
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alexandra J Harvey
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - David K Gardner
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia.
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Diniz MS, Magalhães CC, Tocantins C, Grilo LF, Teixeira J, Pereira SP. Nurturing through Nutrition: Exploring the Role of Antioxidants in Maternal Diet during Pregnancy to Mitigate Developmental Programming of Chronic Diseases. Nutrients 2023; 15:4623. [PMID: 37960276 PMCID: PMC10649237 DOI: 10.3390/nu15214623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic diseases represent one of the major causes of death worldwide. It has been suggested that pregnancy-related conditions, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), maternal obesity (MO), and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) induce an adverse intrauterine environment, increasing the offspring's predisposition to chronic diseases later in life. Research has suggested that mitochondrial function and oxidative stress may play a role in the developmental programming of chronic diseases. Having this in mind, in this review, we include evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are mechanisms by which GDM, MO, and IUGR program the offspring to chronic diseases. In this specific context, we explore the promising advantages of maternal antioxidant supplementation using compounds such as resveratrol, curcumin, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and Mitoquinone (MitoQ) in addressing the metabolic dysfunction and oxidative stress associated with GDM, MO, and IUGR in fetoplacental and offspring metabolic health. This approach holds potential to mitigate developmental programming-related risk of chronic diseases, serving as a probable intervention for disease prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S. Diniz
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (C.C.M.); (C.T.); (L.F.G.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
- Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carina C. Magalhães
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (C.C.M.); (C.T.); (L.F.G.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carolina Tocantins
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (C.C.M.); (C.T.); (L.F.G.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
- Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís F. Grilo
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (C.C.M.); (C.T.); (L.F.G.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
- Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Teixeira
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (C.C.M.); (C.T.); (L.F.G.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana P. Pereira
- CNC-UC—Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (C.C.M.); (C.T.); (L.F.G.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LaMetEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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9
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He Z, Zhang J, Chen Y, Ai C, Gong X, Xu D, Wang H. Transgenerational inheritance of adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition induced by prenatal dexamethasone exposure and its intrauterine mechanism. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:294. [PMID: 37853416 PMCID: PMC10585925 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01303-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenal gland is the synthesis and secretion organ of glucocorticoid, which is crucial to fetal development and postnatal fate. Recently, we found that prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) could cause adrenal dysfunction in offspring rats, but its multigenerational genetic effects and related mechanisms have not been reported. METHODS The PDE rat model was established, and female filial generation 1 (F1) rats mate with wild males to produce the F2, the same way for the F3. Three generation rats were sacrificed for the related detection. SW-13 cells were used to clarify the epigenetic molecular mechanism. RESULTS This study confirmed that PDE could activate fetal adrenal glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The activated GR, on the one hand, up-regulated Let-7b (in human cells) to inhibit steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) expression directly; on the other hand, down-regulated CCCTC binding factor (CTCF) and up-regulated DNA methyltransferase 3a/3b (Dnmt3a/3b), resulting in H19 hypermethylation and low expression. The decreased interaction of H19 and let-7 can further inhibit adrenal steroidogenesis. Additionally, oocytes transmitted the expression change of H19/let-7c axis to the next generation rats. Due to its genetic stability, F2 generation oocytes indirectly exposed to dexamethasone also inhibited H19 expression, which could be inherited to the F3 generation. CONCLUSIONS This cascade effect of CTCF/H19/Let-7c ultimately resulted in the transgenerational inheritance of adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition of PDE offspring. This study deepens the understanding of the intrauterine origin of adrenal developmental toxicity, and it will provide evidence for the systematic analysis of the transgenerational inheritance effect of acquired traits induced by PDE. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng He
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jinzhi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Can Ai
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaohan Gong
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disorder, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei Province, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disorder, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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10
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Pereira SP, Diniz MS, Tavares LC, Cunha-Oliveira T, Li C, Cox LA, Nijland MJ, Nathanielsz PW, Oliveira PJ. Characterizing Early Cardiac Metabolic Programming via 30% Maternal Nutrient Reduction during Fetal Development in a Non-Human Primate Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15192. [PMID: 37894873 PMCID: PMC10607248 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common cause of fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality and is associated with increased offspring predisposition for cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. Mitochondria are essential organelles in maintaining cardiac function, and thus, fetal cardiac mitochondria could be responsive to the IUGR environment. In this study, we investigated whether in utero fetal cardiac mitochondrial programming can be detectable in an early stage of IUGR pregnancy. Using a well-established nonhuman IUGR primate model, we induced IUGR by reducing by 30% the maternal diet (MNR), both in males (MNR-M) and in female (MNR-F) fetuses. Fetal cardiac left ventricle (LV) tissue and blood were collected at 90 days of gestation (0.5 gestation, 0.5 G). Blood biochemical parameters were determined and heart LV mitochondrial biology assessed. MNR fetus biochemical blood parameters confirm an early fetal response to MNR. In addition, we show that in utero cardiac mitochondrial MNR adaptations are already detectable at this early stage, in a sex-divergent way. MNR induced alterations in the cardiac gene expression of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) subunits (mostly for complex-I, III, and ATP synthase), along with increased protein content for complex-I, -III, and -IV subunits only for MNR-M in comparison with male controls, highlight the fetal cardiac sex-divergent response to MNR. At this fetal stage, no major alterations were detected in mitochondrial DNA copy number nor markers for oxidative stress. This study shows that in 90-day nonhuman primate fetuses, a 30% decrease in maternal nutrition generated early in utero adaptations in fetal blood biochemical parameters and sex-specific alterations in cardiac left ventricle gene and protein expression profiles, affecting predominantly OXPHOS subunits. Since the OXPHOS system is determinant for energy production in mitochondria, our findings suggest that these early IUGR-induced mitochondrial adaptations play a role in offspring's mitochondrial dysfunction and can increase predisposition to CVD in a sex-specific way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana P. Pereira
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LaMetEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (T.C.-O.); (P.J.O.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | - Mariana S. Diniz
- CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (T.C.-O.); (P.J.O.)
- PDBEB—Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ludgero C. Tavares
- CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (T.C.-O.); (P.J.O.)
- CIVG—Vasco da Gama Research Center, University School Vasco da Gama—EUVG, 3020-210 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Cunha-Oliveira
- CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (T.C.-O.); (P.J.O.)
| | - Cun Li
- Texas Pregnancy & Life-Course Health Research Center, Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA;
| | - Laura A. Cox
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (L.A.C.); (P.W.N.)
- Section on Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227, USA
- Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Mark J. Nijland
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
| | - Peter W. Nathanielsz
- Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (L.A.C.); (P.W.N.)
| | - Paulo J. Oliveira
- CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (M.S.D.); (T.C.-O.); (P.J.O.)
- CIBB—Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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11
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Grilo LF, Martins JD, Diniz MS, Tocantins C, Cavallaro CH, Baldeiras I, Cunha-Oliveira T, Ford S, Nathanielsz PW, Oliveira PJ, Pereira SP. Maternal hepatic adaptations during obese pregnancy encompass lobe-specific mitochondrial alterations and oxidative stress. Clin Sci (Lond) 2023; 137:1347-1372. [PMID: 37565250 DOI: 10.1042/cs20230048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Maternal obesity (MO) is rising worldwide, affecting half of all gestations, constituting a possible risk-factor for some pregnancy-associated liver diseases (PALD) and hepatic diseases. PALD occur in approximately 3% of pregnancies and are characterized by maternal hepatic oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Maternal hepatic disease increases maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Understanding the role of MO on liver function and pathophysiology could be crucial for better understanding the altered pathways leading to PALD and liver disease, possibly paving the way to prevention and adequate management of disease. We investigated specific hepatic metabolic alterations in mitochondria and oxidative stress during MO at late-gestation. Maternal hepatic tissue was collected at 90% gestation in Control and MO ewes (fed 150% of recommended nutrition starting 60 days before conception). Maternal hepatic redox state, mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC), and OS markers were investigated. MO decreased MRC complex-II activity and its subunits SDHA and SDHB protein expression, increased complex-I and complex-IV activities despite reduced complex-IV subunit mtCO1 protein expression, and increased ATP synthase ATP5A subunit. Hepatic MO-metabolic remodeling was characterized by decreased adenine nucleotide translocator 1 and 2 (ANT-1/2) and voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) protein expression and protein kinase A (PKA) activity (P<0.01), and augmented NAD+/NADH ratio due to reduced NADH levels (P<0.01). MO showed an altered redox state with increased OS, increased lipid peroxidation (P<0.01), decreased GSH/GSSG ratio (P=0.005), increased superoxide dismutase (P=0.03) and decreased catalase (P=0.03) antioxidant enzymatic activities, lower catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX)-4 and glutathione reductase protein expression (P<0.05), and increased GPX-1 abundance (P=0.03). MO-related hepatic changes were more evident in the right lobe, corroborated by the integrative data analysis. Hepatic tissue from obese pregnant ewes showed alterations in the redox state, consistent with OS and MRC and metabolism remodeling. These are hallmarks of PALD and hepatic disease, supporting MO as a risk-factor and highlighting OS and mitochondrial dysfunction as mechanisms responsible for liver disease predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís F Grilo
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João D Martins
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Mariana S Diniz
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Carolina Tocantins
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Chiara H Cavallaro
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Inês Baldeiras
- Neurological Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Cunha-Oliveira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Stephen Ford
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, U.S.A
| | | | - Paulo J Oliveira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Susana P Pereira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LametEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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12
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Jovandaric MZ, Babic S, Raus M, Medjo B. The Importance of Metabolic and Environmental Factors in the Occurrence of Oxidative Stress during Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11964. [PMID: 37569340 PMCID: PMC10418910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic changes in pregnant women begin in the first weeks after conception under the influence of placental hormones that affect the metabolism of all nutrients. An increased concentration of total lipids accompanies pregnancy and an increased accumulation of triglycerides in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) particles. Lipids in small dense LDL particles are more susceptible to oxidative modification than normal-density LDL particles. Unlike LDL high-density lipoproteins (HDL), lipoprotein particles have an atheroprotective role in lipid metabolism. The very growth of the fetus depends on the nutrition of both parents, so obesity is not only in the mother but also in the father. Nutritional programming of the offspring occurs through changes in lipid metabolism and leads to an increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Pregnancy is accompanied by an increased need for oxygen in the mitochondria of the placenta and a tendency to develop oxidative stress. Oxidative stress represents a disturbance in the balance of oxidation-reduction processes in the body that occurs due to the excessive production of free oxygen radicals that cellular homeostatic mechanisms are unable to neutralize. When the balance with the antioxidant system is disturbed, which happens when free oxygen radicals are in high concentrations, serious damage to biological molecules occurs, resulting in a series of pathophysiological and pathological changes, including cell death. Therefore, oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of many complications that can occur during pregnancy. The oxidative status of pregnant women is also influenced by socioeconomic living conditions, lifestyle habits, diet, smoking, and exposure to environmental air pollution. During a healthy pregnancy, the altered lipid profile and oxidative stress create an increased risk for premature birth and pregnancy-related diseases, and a predisposition to adult diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miljana Z. Jovandaric
- Department of Neonatology, Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sandra Babic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Misela Raus
- Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Medjo
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Department Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care, University Children’s Hospital, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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13
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Li N, Wang R, Hu P, Lu W, Zhao X, Wang L, Song M, Gao Y, An C, Bashir S, Wang X. Effect of night shift work on metabolic syndrome in adults who suffered from earthquake stress in early life. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1139113. [PMID: 37546325 PMCID: PMC10399214 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1139113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To examine the role of night shift work on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults suffered from earthquakes prenatally or as infants and to analyse the effect of stress on factors that influence MetS in this population. Methods We included 870 subjects from 2014 to 2015. All subjects work as miners for the Kailuan Mining Group and were born were living in Tangshan. Participants were classified into two groups on basis of their work schedules: day shift and night shift. They were further classified into the prenatal exposure group, the infancy exposure group, and the control group based on their age during the Tangshan earthquake. This study was conducted 38 years after the earthquake. Participants' general demographic data, smoking and drinking habits, as well as work schedules were collected. All participants' sleep status was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The measurement of all subjects' waist circumference and blood pressure was made, and triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins were measured by collecting blood samples. The definition of MetS was made after the guidelines for preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes in China (2017 Edition). Results A total of 187 (21.5%) workers were determined to have MetS. The incidence of MetS was greatly higher in night shift workers who were exposed to an earthquake during infancy than in day shift workers (χ2 = 8.053, p = 0.005). A multivariate logistic regression analysis displayed male participants had a higher risk develop MetS than female participants (p = 0.042, OR = 0.368, 95% CI = 0.140, 0.965). Current smokers (p = 0.030, OR = 1.520, 95%CI = 1.042, 2.218) and participants who sleep fewer than 7 h per night (p = 0.015, OR = 1.638, 95%CI = 1.101, 2.437) had a higher risk of MetS. Prenatal earthquake stress was also a risk element for MetS (p = 0.012, OR = 1.644, 95%CI = 1.115, 2.423). Conclusion The risk of MetS is significantly higher in night shift workers exposed to earthquake stress during infancy than day shift workers. Earthquake exposure during pregnancy is an independent risk factor for MetS. Smoking and sleeping less than 7 h have a higher risk of MetS than the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Peihua Hu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wenting Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaochuan Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Mei Song
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Cuixia An
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Shahid Bashir
- Saudi Arabia Neuroscience Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Xueyi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Mental Health Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, China
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14
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Diniz MS, Grilo LF, Tocantins C, Falcão-Pires I, Pereira SP. Made in the Womb: Maternal Programming of Offspring Cardiovascular Function by an Obesogenic Womb. Metabolites 2023; 13:845. [PMID: 37512552 PMCID: PMC10386510 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13070845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity incidence has been increasing at an alarming rate, especially in women of reproductive age. It is estimated that 50% of pregnancies occur in overweight or obese women. It has been described that maternal obesity (MO) predisposes the offspring to an increased risk of developing many chronic diseases in an early stage of life, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the main cause of death worldwide among men and women, and it is manifested in a sex-divergent way. Maternal nutrition and MO during gestation could prompt CVD development in the offspring through adaptations of the offspring's cardiovascular system in the womb, including cardiac epigenetic and persistent metabolic programming of signaling pathways and modulation of mitochondrial metabolic function. Currently, despite diet supplementation, effective therapeutical solutions to prevent the deleterious cardiac offspring function programming by an obesogenic womb are lacking. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which an obesogenic intrauterine environment could program the offspring's cardiovascular metabolism in a sex-divergent way, with a special focus on cardiac mitochondrial function, and debate possible strategies to implement during MO pregnancy that could ameliorate, revert, or even prevent deleterious effects of MO on the offspring's cardiovascular system. The impact of maternal physical exercise during an obesogenic pregnancy, nutritional interventions, and supplementation on offspring's cardiac metabolism are discussed, highlighting changes that may be favorable to MO offspring's cardiovascular health, which might result in the attenuation or even prevention of the development of CVD in MO offspring. The objectives of this manuscript are to comprehensively examine the various aspects of MO during pregnancy and explore the underlying mechanisms that contribute to an increased CVD risk in the offspring. We review the current literature on MO and its impact on the offspring's cardiometabolic health. Furthermore, we discuss the potential long-term consequences for the offspring. Understanding the multifaceted effects of MO on the offspring's health is crucial for healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers to develop effective strategies for prevention and intervention to improve care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S Diniz
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís F Grilo
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carolina Tocantins
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Falcão-Pires
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana P Pereira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LaMetEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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15
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Toh P, Seale LA, Berry MJ, Torres DJ. Prolonged maternal exposure to glucocorticoids alters selenoprotein expression in the developing brain. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1115993. [PMID: 37033382 PMCID: PMC10080067 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1115993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the stress-response system in early life can alter neurodevelopment and cause long-term neurological changes. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis releases glucocorticoids into the bloodstream, to help the organism adapt to the stressful stimulus. Elevated glucocorticoid levels can promote the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and the brain is highly susceptible to oxidative stress. The essential trace element selenium is obtained through diet, is used to synthesize antioxidant selenoproteins, and can mitigate glucocorticoid-mediated oxidative damage. Glucocorticoids can impair antioxidant enzymes in the brain, and could potentially influence selenoprotein expression. We hypothesized that exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids would disrupt selenoprotein expression in the developing brain. C57 wild-type dams of recently birthed litters were fed either a moderate (0.25 ppm) or high (1 ppm) selenium diet and administered corticosterone (75 μg/ml) via drinking water during postnatal days 1 to 15, after which the brains of the offspring were collected for western blot analysis. Glutathione peroxidase 1 and 4 levels were increased by maternal corticosterone exposure within the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of offspring. Additionally, levels of the glucocorticoid receptor were decreased in the hippocampus and selenoprotein W was elevated in the hypothalamus by corticosterone. Maternal consumption of a high selenium diet independently decreased glucocorticoid receptor levels in the hippocampus of offspring of both sexes, as well as in the prefrontal cortex of female offspring. This study demonstrates that early life exposure to excess glucocorticoid levels can alter selenoprotein levels in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Daniel J. Torres
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
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16
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Exposure to Obesogenic Environments during Perinatal Development Modulates Offspring Energy Balance Pathways in Adipose Tissue and Liver of Rodent Models. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15051281. [PMID: 36904281 PMCID: PMC10005203 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesogenic environments such as Westernized diets, overnutrition, and exposure to glycation during gestation and lactation can alter peripheral neuroendocrine factors in offspring, predisposing for metabolic diseases in adulthood. Thus, we hypothesized that exposure to obesogenic environments during the perinatal period reprograms offspring energy balance mechanisms. Four rat obesogenic models were studied: maternal diet-induced obesity (DIO); early-life obesity induced by postnatal overfeeding; maternal glycation; and postnatal overfeeding combined with maternal glycation. Metabolic parameters, energy expenditure, and storage pathways in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and the liver were analyzed. Maternal DIO increased VAT lipogenic [NPY receptor-1 (NPY1R), NPY receptor-2 (NPY2R), and ghrelin receptor], but also lipolytic/catabolic mechanisms [dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) and p-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)] in male offspring, while reducing NPY1R in females. Postnatally overfed male animals only exhibited higher NPY2R levels in VAT, while females also presented NPY1R and NPY2R downregulation. Maternal glycation reduces VAT expandability by decreasing NPY2R in overfed animals. Regarding the liver, D1R was decreased in all obesogenic models, while overfeeding induced fat accumulation in both sexes and glycation the inflammatory infiltration. The VAT response to maternal DIO and overfeeding showed a sexual dysmorphism, and exposure to glycotoxins led to a thin-outside-fat-inside phenotype in overfeeding conditions and impaired energy balance, increasing the metabolic risk in adulthood.
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Pacheco-Fuentes H, Ton R, Griffith SC. Short- and long-term consequences of heat exposure on mitochondrial metabolism in zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis). Oecologia 2023; 201:637-648. [PMID: 36894790 PMCID: PMC10038956 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05344-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the consequences of heat exposure on mitochondrial function is crucial as mitochondria lie at the core of metabolic processes, also affecting population dynamics. In adults, mitochondrial metabolism varies with temperature but can also depend on thermal conditions experienced during development. We exposed zebra finches to two alternative heat treatments during early development: "constant", maintained birds at ambient 35 °C from parental pair formation to fledglings' independence, while "periodic" heated broods at 40 °C, 6 h daily at nestling stage. Two years later, we acclimated birds from both experiments at 25 °C for 21 days, before exposing them to artificial heat (40 °C, 5 h daily for 10 days). After both conditions, we measured red blood cells' mitochondrial metabolism using a high-resolution respirometer. We found significantly decreased mitochondrial metabolism for Routine, Oxidative Phosphorylation (OxPhos) and Electron Transport System maximum capacity (ETS) after the heat treatments. In addition, the birds exposed to "constant" heat in early life showed lower oxygen consumption at the Proton Leak (Leak) stage after the heat treatment as adults. Females showed higher mitochondrial respiration for Routine, ETS and Leak independent of the treatments, while this pattern was reversed for OxPhos coupling efficiency (OxCE). Our results show that short-term acclimation involved reduced mitochondrial respiration, and that the reaction of adult birds to heat depends on the intensity, pattern and duration of temperature conditions experienced at early-life stages. Our study provides insight into the complexity underlying variation in mitochondrial metabolism and raises questions on the adaptive value of long-lasting physiological adjustments triggered by the early-life thermal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riccardo Ton
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Simon C Griffith
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
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18
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Núñez-Murrieta MA, Coria-Avila GA, Martínez AJ, López-Meraz ML, Corona-Morales AA. Preterm rat survival is enhanced by gestational environmental enrichment. Behav Processes 2023; 205:104820. [PMID: 36646232 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2023.104820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the last decade, the estimated global human preterm birth rate was 10.6 %, with higher rates in Asia, South America, and Africa. Preterm individuals, even in adulthood, are more likely to develop cardiorespiratory, renal, and metabolic disorders. On the other hand, when experimental animals are housed in an enriched environment during gestation, the development of the progeny in utero is accelerated, compared to standard housing conditions. By terminating gestation one and a half days before parturition, we investigated whether environmental enrichment restricted to gestation may have an impact on progeny survival. Our results demonstrate that the gestational enriched environment tripled the rat´s offspring survival, which was associated with decreased expression of anxiety-like behaviors in the pregnant mother. Sex of the offspring was not a factor in determining survival. We discuss the effect of increased secretion of various trophic factors and hormones induced by the enriched environment on progeny survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Genaro A Coria-Avila
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
| | - Armando J Martínez
- Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
| | - María L López-Meraz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
| | - Aleph A Corona-Morales
- Laboratorio de Investigación Genómica y Fisiológica, Facultad de Nutrición, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
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Fowden AL, Vaughan OR, Murray AJ, Forhead AJ. Metabolic Consequences of Glucocorticoid Exposure before Birth. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14112304. [PMID: 35684104 PMCID: PMC9182938 DOI: 10.3390/nu14112304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids have an important role in development of the metabolic phenotype in utero. They act as environmental and maturational signals in adapting feto-placental metabolism to maximize the chances of survival both before and at birth. They influence placental nutrient handling and fetal metabolic processes to support fetal growth, fuel storage and energy production with respect to nutrient availability. More specifically, they regulate the transport, utilization and production of a range of nutrients by the feto-placental tissues that enables greater metabolic flexibility in utero while minimizing any further drain on maternal resources during periods of stress. Near term, the natural rise in fetal glucocorticoid concentrations also stimulates key metabolic adaptations that prepare tissues for the new energy demanding functions after birth. Glucocorticoids, therefore, have a central role in the metabolic communication between the mother, placenta and fetus that optimizes offspring metabolic phenotype for survival to reproductive age. This review discusses the effects of maternal and fetal glucocorticoids on the supply and utilization of nutrients by the feto-placental tissues with particular emphasis on studies using quantitative methods to assess metabolism in rodents and sheep in vivo during late pregnancy. It considers the routes of glucocorticoid overexposure in utero, including experimental administration of synthetic glucocorticoids, and the mechanisms by which these hormones control feto-placental metabolism at the molecular, cellular and systems levels. It also briefly examines the consequences of intrauterine glucocorticoid overexposure for postnatal metabolic health and the generational inheritance of metabolic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L. Fowden
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; (A.J.M.); (A.J.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Owen R. Vaughan
- EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London WC1E 6HX, UK;
| | - Andrew J. Murray
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; (A.J.M.); (A.J.F.)
| | - Alison J. Forhead
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; (A.J.M.); (A.J.F.)
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
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Cossin-Sevrin N, Hsu BY, Marciau C, Viblanc VA, Ruuskanen S, Stier A. Developmental plasticity of mitochondrial aerobic metabolism, growth and survival by prenatal glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones: an experimental test in wild great tits. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:275345. [PMID: 35420125 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Developmental plasticity is partly mediated by transgenerational effects, including those mediated by the maternal endocrine system. Glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones may play central roles in developmental programming through their action on metabolism and growth. However, the mechanisms by which they affect growth and development remain understudied. One hypothesis is that maternal hormones directly affect the production and availability of energy-carrying molecules (e.g. ATP) by their action on mitochondrial function. To test this hypothesis, we experimentally increased glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones in wild great tit eggs (Parus major) to investigate their impact on offspring mitochondrial aerobic metabolism (measured in blood cells), and subsequent growth and survival. We show that prenatal glucocorticoid supplementation affected offspring cellular aerobic metabolism by decreasing mitochondrial density, maximal mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, while increasing the proportion of the maximum capacity being used under endogenous conditions. Prenatal glucocorticoid supplementation only had mild effects on offspring body mass, size and condition during the rearing period, but led to a sex-specific (females only) decrease in body mass a few months after fledging. Contrary to our expectations, thyroid hormones supplementation did not affect offspring growth or mitochondrial metabolism. Recapture probabilities as juveniles or adults were not significantly affected by prenatal hormonal treatments. Our results demonstrate that prenatal glucocorticoids can affect post-natal mitochondrial density and aerobic metabolism. The weak effects on growth and apparent survival suggest that nestlings were mostly able to compensate for the transient decrease in mitochondrial aerobic metabolism induced by prenatal glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Cossin-Sevrin
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR 7178, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Bin-Yan Hsu
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Coline Marciau
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Vincent A Viblanc
- Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR 7178, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Suvi Ruuskanen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Antoine Stier
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
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21
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Polyploidy as a Fundamental Phenomenon in Evolution, Development, Adaptation and Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073542. [PMID: 35408902 PMCID: PMC8998937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA replication during cell proliferation is 'vertical' copying, which reproduces an initial amount of genetic information. Polyploidy, which results from whole-genome duplication, is a fundamental complement to vertical copying. Both organismal and cell polyploidy can emerge via premature cell cycle exit or via cell-cell fusion, the latter giving rise to polyploid hybrid organisms and epigenetic hybrids of somatic cells. Polyploidy-related increase in biological plasticity, adaptation, and stress resistance manifests in evolution, development, regeneration, aging, oncogenesis, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite the prevalence in nature and importance for medicine, agri- and aquaculture, biological processes and epigenetic mechanisms underlying these fundamental features largely remain unknown. The evolutionarily conserved features of polyploidy include activation of transcription, response to stress, DNA damage and hypoxia, and induction of programs of morphogenesis, unicellularity, and longevity, suggesting that these common features confer adaptive plasticity, viability, and stress resistance to polyploid cells and organisms. By increasing cell viability, polyploidization can provide survival under stressful conditions where diploid cells cannot survive. However, in somatic cells it occurs at the expense of specific function, thus promoting developmental programming of adult cardiovascular diseases and increasing the risk of cancer. Notably, genes arising via evolutionary polyploidization are heavily involved in cancer and other diseases. Ploidy-related changes of gene expression presumably originate from chromatin modifications and the derepression of bivalent genes. The provided evidence elucidates the role of polyploidy in evolution, development, aging, and carcinogenesis, and may contribute to the development of new strategies for promoting regeneration and preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
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22
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Tocantins C, Diniz MS, Grilo LF, Pereira SP. The birth of cardiac disease: Mechanisms linking gestational diabetes mellitus and early onset of cardiovascular disease in offspring. WIREs Mech Dis 2022; 14:e1555. [PMID: 35304833 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the biggest killer worldwide, composing a major economic burden for health care systems. Obesity and diabetes are dual epidemics on the rise and major risk factors predisposing for CVD. Increased obesity- and diabetes-related incidence is now observed among children, adolescents, and young adults. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic pregnancy disorder, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing. During pregnancies complicated by GDM, the offspring are exposed to a compromised intrauterine environment characterized by hyperglycemic periods. Unfavorable in utero conditions at critical periods of fetal cardiac development can produce developmental adaptations that remodel the cardiovascular system in a way that can contribute to adult-onset of heart disease due to the programming during fetal life. Epidemiological studies have reported increased cardiovascular complications among GDM-descendants, highlighting the urgent need to investigate and understand the mechanisms modulated during fetal development of in utero GDM-exposed offspring that predispose an individual to increased CVD during life. In this manuscript, we overview previous studies in this area and gather evidence linking GDM and CVD development in the offspring, providing new insights on novel mechanisms contributing to offspring CVD programming by GDM, from the role of maternal-fetal interactions to their impact on fetal cardiovascular development, how the perpetuation of cardiac programming is maintained in postnatal life, and advance the intergenerational implications contributing to increased CVD premature origin. Understanding the perpetuation of CVD can be the first step to manage and reverse this leading cause of morbidity and mortality. This article is categorized under: Reproductive System Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Metabolic Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Tocantins
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mariana S Diniz
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís F Grilo
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana P Pereira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LametEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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23
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Dalle Molle R, de Mendonça Filho EJ, Minuzzi L, Machado TD, Reis RS, Rodrigues DM, Mucellini AB, Franco AR, Buchweitz A, Toazza R, Bortoluzzi A, Salum GA, Boscenco S, Meaney MJ, Levitan RD, Manfro GG, Silveira PP. Thrifty-Eating Behavior Phenotype at the Food Court - Programming Goes Beyond Food Preferences. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:882532. [PMID: 35677721 PMCID: PMC9168906 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.882532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prenatal growth impairment leads to higher preference for palatable foods in comparison to normal prenatal growth subjects, which can contribute to increased body fat mass and a higher risk for developing chronic diseases in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) individuals throughout life. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SGA on feeding behavior in children and adolescents, as well as resting-state connectivity between areas related to reward, self-control, and value determination, such as orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DL-PFC), amygdala and dorsal striatum (DS). METHODS Caregivers and their offspring were recruited from two independent cohorts in Brazil (PROTAIA) and Canada (MAVAN). Both cohorts included anthropometric measurements, food choice tasks, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. RESULTS In the Brazilian sample (17 ± 0.28 years, n=70), 21.4% of adolescents were classified as SGA. They exhibited lower monetary-related expenditure to buy a snack compared to controls in the food choice test. Decreased functional connectivity (n=40) between left OFC and left DL-PFC; and between right OFC and: left amygdala, right DS, and left DS were observed in the Brazilian SGA participants. Canadian SGA participants (14.9%) had non-significant differences in comparison with controls in a food choice task at 4 years old ( ± 0.01, n=315). At a follow-up brain scan visit (10.21 ± 0.140 years, n=49), SGA participants (28.6%) exhibited higher connectivity between the left OFC and left DL-PFC, also higher connectivity between the left OFC and right DL-PFC. We did not observe significant anthropometric neither nutrients' intake differences between groups in both samples. CONCLUSIONS Resting-state fMRI results showed that SGA individuals had altered connectivity between areas involved in encoding the subjective value for available goods and decision-making in both samples, which can pose them in disadvantage when facing food options daily. Over the years, the cumulative exposure to particular food cues together with the altered behavior towards food, such as food purchasing, as seen in the adolescent cohort, can play a role in the long-term risk for developing chronic non-communicable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Dalle Molle
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Euclides José de Mendonça Filho
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Luciano Minuzzi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Tania Diniz Machado
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Roberta Sena Reis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Danitsa Marcos Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Amanda Brondani Mucellini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Rosa Franco
- Instituto do Cérebro (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Faculdade de Engenharia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Augusto Buchweitz
- Instituto do Cérebro (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Faculdade de Letras, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Letras, Linguística, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rudineia Toazza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Andressa Bortoluzzi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Giovanni Abrahão Salum
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Sonia Boscenco
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael J. Meaney
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Robert D. Levitan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gisele Gus Manfro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Patricia Pelufo Silveira
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Patricia Pelufo Silveira,
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Awazu M. Structural and functional changes in the kidney caused by adverse fetal and neonatal environments. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 49:2335-2344. [PMID: 34817775 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06967-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Health and disease risk in the adulthood are known to be affected by the early developmental environment. Kidney diseases are one of these diseases, and kidneys are altered both structurally and functionally by adverse pre- and perinatal events. The most known structural change is low nephron number seen in subjects born low birth weight and/or preterm. In various animal models of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), one of the causes of low birth weight, the mechanism of low nephron number was investigated. While apoptosis of metanephric mesenchyme has been suggested to be the cause, I showed that suppression of ureteric branching, global DNA methylation, and caspase-3 activity also contributes to the mechanism. Other structural changes caused by adverse fetal and neonatal environments include peritubular and glomerular capillary rarefaction and low podocyte endowment. These are aggravated by postnatal development of focal glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis that result from low nephron number. Functional changes can be seen in tubules, endothelium, renin-angiotensin system, sympathetic nervous system, oxidative stress, and others. As an example, I reported that aggravated nitrosative stress in a rat IUGR model resulted in more severe tubular necrosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction. The mechanism of various functional changes needs to be clarified but may be explained by epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Midori Awazu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Metropolitan Ohtsuka Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
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25
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Booz GW, Kennedy D, Bowling M, Robinson T, Azubuike D, Fisher B, Brooks K, Chinthakuntla P, Hoang NH, Hosler JP, Cunningham MW. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor agonistic autoantibody blockade improves postpartum hypertension and cardiac mitochondrial function in rat model of preeclampsia. Biol Sex Differ 2021; 12:58. [PMID: 34727994 PMCID: PMC8562001 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-021-00396-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Women with preeclampsia (PE) have a greater risk of developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and renal disease later in life. Angiotensin II type I receptor agonistic autoantibodies (AT1-AAs) are elevated in women with PE during pregnancy and up to 2-year postpartum (PP), and in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of PE. Blockade of AT1-AA with a specific 7 amino acid peptide binding sequence (‘n7AAc’) improves pathophysiology observed in RUPP rats; however, the long-term effects of AT1-AA inhibition in PP is unknown. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: normal pregnant (NP) (n = 16), RUPP (n = 15), and RUPP + ‘n7AAc’ (n = 16). Gestational day 14, RUPP surgery was performed and ‘n7AAc’ (144 μg/day) administered via osmotic minipump. At 10-week PP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and cardiac functions, and cardiac mitochondria function were assessed. MAP was elevated PP in RUPP vs. NP (126 ± 4 vs. 116 ± 3 mmHg, p < 0.05), but was normalized in in RUPP + ‘n7AAc’ (109 ± 3 mmHg) vs. RUPP (p < 0.05). PP heart size was reduced by RUPP + ’n7AAc’ vs. RUPP rats (p < 0.05). Complex IV protein abundance and enzymatic activity, along with glutamate/malate-driven respiration (complexes I, III, and IV), were reduced in the heart of RUPP vs. NP rats which was prevented with ‘n7AAc’. AT1-AA inhibition during pregnancy not only improves blood pressure and pathophysiology of PE in rats during pregnancy, but also long-term changes in blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiac mitochondrial function PP.
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Affiliation(s)
- George W Booz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Daniel Kennedy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Michael Bowling
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Taprieka Robinson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Daniel Azubuike
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Brandon Fisher
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Karen Brooks
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Pooja Chinthakuntla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Ngoc H Hoang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Jonathan P Hosler
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Mark W Cunningham
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA.
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Unravelling the impact of intrauterine growth restriction on heart development: insights into mitochondria and sexual dimorphism from a non-hominoid primate. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:1767-1772. [PMID: 34313297 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fetal exposure to an unfavorable intrauterine environment programs an individual to have a greater susceptibility later in life to non-communicable diseases, such as coronary heart disease, but the molecular processes are poorly understood. An article in Clinical Science recently reported novel details on the effects of maternal nutrient reduction (MNR) on fetal heart development using a primate model that is about 94% genetically similar to humans and is also mostly monotocous. MNR adversely impacted fetal left ventricular (LV) mitochondria in a sex-dependent fashion with a greater effect on male fetuses, although mitochondrial transcripts increased more so in females. Increased expression for several respiratory chain and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase proteins were observed. However, fetal LV mitochondrial complex I and complex II/III activities were significantly decreased, likely contributing to a 73% decreased LV ATP content and increased LV lipid peroxidation. Moreover, MNR fetal LV mitochondria showed sparse and disarranged cristae. This study indicates that mitochondria are targets of the remodeling and imprinting processes in a sex-dependent manner. Mitochondrial ROS production and inadequate energy production add another layer of complexity. Altogether these observations raise the possibility that dysfunctional mitochondria in the fetus may contribute in turn to epigenetic memory of in utero stress in the adult. The role of mitoepigenetics and involvement of mitochondrial and genomic non-coding RNAs in mitochondrial functions and nuclei-mitochondria crosstalk with in utero stress awaits further investigation.
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