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Dawid M, Pich K, Mlyczyńska E, Respekta-Długosz N, Wachowska D, Greggio A, Szkraba O, Kurowska P, Rak A. Adipokines in pregnancy. Adv Clin Chem 2024; 121:172-269. [PMID: 38797542 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2024.04.006] [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] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Reproductive success consists of a sequential events chronology, starting with the ovum fertilization, implantation of the embryo, placentation, and cellular processes like proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, endocrinology, or metabolic changes, which taken together finally conduct the birth of healthy offspring. Currently, many factors are known that affect the regulation and proper maintenance of pregnancy in humans, domestic animals, or rodents. Among the determinants of reproductive success should be distinguished: the maternal microenvironment, genes, and proteins as well as numerous pregnancy hormones that regulate the most important processes and ensure organism homeostasis. It is well known that white adipose tissue, as the largest endocrine gland in our body, participates in the synthesis and secretion of numerous hormones belonging to the adipokine family, which also may regulate the course of pregnancy. Unfortunately, overweight and obesity lead to the expansion of adipose tissue in the body, and its excess in both women and animals contributes to changes in the synthesis and release of adipokines, which in turn translates into dramatic changes during pregnancy, including those taking place in the organ that is crucial for the proper progress of pregnancy, i.e. the placenta. In this chapter, we are summarizing the current knowledge about levels of adipokines and their role in the placenta, taking into account the physiological and pathological conditions of pregnancy, e.g. gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, or intrauterine growth restriction in humans, domestic animals, and rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Dawid
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pich
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Mlyczyńska
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Natalia Respekta-Długosz
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Dominka Wachowska
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Greggio
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Oliwia Szkraba
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Patrycja Kurowska
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Rak
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland.
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Chae SA, Du M, Zhu MJ, Son JS. Exercise enhances placental labyrinth trophoblast development by activation of PGC-1α and FNDC5/irisin†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:355-364. [PMID: 37934783 PMCID: PMC10873274 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad151] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental chorion/labyrinth trophoblasts are energy demanding which is met by the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Exercise enhances placental development and mitochondrial biogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address, female C57BL/6 J mice were randomly assigned into two groups: a control group and an exercise (EX) group. All animals were acclimated to treadmill exercise for 1 week before mating, but only the EX group was subjected to daily exercise during pregnancy from embryonic day (E) 1.5 to E16.5. Placenta were collected at E18.5 for biochemical and histochemical analyses, and primary trophoblast cells were isolated from the E18.5 placenta for further analyses. The data showed that exercise during pregnancy promoted the expression of syncytiotrophoblast cell markers, indicating trophoblast cell differentiation, which was closely associated with elevated mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism in the E18.5 placenta. In addition, exercise during pregnancy activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 α (PGC-1α), which was associated with upregulated placental α-ketoglutarate and the expression of isocitrate dehydrogenases and ten-eleven translocations, facilitating DNA demethylation of the Pgc1a promoter. Furthermore, exercise upregulated fibronectin type III domain containing 5 expression and the secretion of its cleaved form, irisin, which is known to activate PGC-1α. These data suggest that exercise-induced activation of PGC-1α, via epigenetic modifications, is responsible for promoting mitochondrial energy metabolism and chorion/labyrinth trophoblast development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Ah Chae
- Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Min Du
- Nutrigenomics and Growth Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Mei-Jun Zhu
- School of Food Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jun Seok Son
- Nutrigenomics and Exercise Biology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Braga APDSX, Silva DM, de Farias Lelis D, Farias RE, Paraíso AF, Santos SHS, Martins AMEDBL, Andrade JMO. Apelin and Visfatin Expression in Placental Tissue in Women With Preeclampsia and Overweight/Obesity. Biol Res Nurs 2023; 25:647-657. [PMID: 37246238 DOI: 10.1177/10998004231178835] [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] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifunctional and multisystem disorder. Several factors favor the development of PE, including obesity. Cytokines are also expressed in the placenta, predisposing to local alterations that favor the development of distinct pathological processes, including PE. This study aimed to evaluate the apelin and visfatin mRNA expression in the placental tissue of women with preeclampsia and overweight/obesity and correlates with maternal and fetal variables. METHODS A cross-sectional analytical study was performed with 60 pregnant women and their newborns. Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory variables were collected. Placental tissue samples were obtained, and the apelin and visfatin mRNA expression levels were assessed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS The main findings evidenced lower levels of apelin expression in overweight/obese women, accompanied by a negative correlation with BMI and pre-pregnancy weight; a higher expression of apelin was also observed in women with late PE and no personal history of PE. For visfatin levels, higher expression levels were observed in women with late PE and term delivery. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between visfatin levels and fetal anthropometric parameters, such as weight, length, and head circumference. CONCLUSION Apelin levels were less expressed in overweight/obese women. Apelin and visfatin levels were correlated/associated with maternal-fetal variables.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana Matos Silva
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes), Montes Claros, Brazil
| | - Deborah de Farias Lelis
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes), Montes Claros, Brazil
| | - Rogério Estevam Farias
- Department of Pathology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | | | | | - Andrea Maria Eleutério de Barros Lima Martins
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes), Montes Claros, Brazil
- Department of Odontology, Montes Claros State University (Unimontes), Montes Claros, Brazil
| | - João Marcus Oliveira Andrade
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes), Montes Claros, Brazil
- Department of Pathophysiology, State University of Montes Claros (Unimontes), Montes Claros, Brazil
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Chae SA, Du M, Son JS, Zhu MJ. Exercise improves homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium by activation of apelin receptor-AMP-activated protein kinase signalling. J Physiol 2023; 601:2371-2389. [PMID: 37154385 PMCID: PMC10280693 DOI: 10.1113/jp284552] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal remodelling is dynamically regulated by energy metabolism. Exercise is beneficial for gut health, but the specific mechanisms remain poorly understood. Intestine-specific apelin receptor (APJ) knockdown (KD) and wild-type male mice were randomly divided into two subgroups, with/without exercise, to obtain four groups: WT, WT with exercise, APJ KD and APJ KD with exercise. Animals in the exercise groups were subjected to daily treadmill exercise for 3 weeks. Duodenum was collected at 48 h after the last bout of exercise. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1 KD and wild-type mice were also utilized for investigating the mediatory role of AMPK on exercise-induced duodenal epithelial development. AMPK and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 α were upregulated by exercise via APJ activation in the intestinal duodenum. Correspondingly, exercise induced permissive histone modifications in the PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16) promoter to activate its expression, which was dependent on APJ activation. In agreement, exercise elevated the expression of mitochondrial oxidative markers. The expression of intestinal epithelial markers was downregulated due to AMPK deficiency, and AMPK signalling facilitated epithelial renewal. These data demonstrate that exercise-induced activation of the APJ-AMPK axis facilitates the homeostasis of the intestinal duodenal epithelium. KEY POINTS: Apelin receptor (APJ) signalling is required for improved epithelial homeostasis of the small intestine in response to exercise. Exercise intervention activates PRDM16 through inducing histone modifications, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid metabolism in duodenum. The morphological development of duodenal villus and crypt is enhanced by the muscle-derived exerkine apelin through the APJ-AMP-activated protein kinase axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Ah Chae
- Nutrigenomics and Growth Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Min Du
- Nutrigenomics and Growth Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Jun Seok Son
- Laboratory of Perinatal Kinesioepigenetics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Mei-Jun Zhu
- School of Food Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Donato J. Programming of metabolism by adipokines during development. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023:10.1038/s41574-023-00828-1. [PMID: 37055548 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-023-00828-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The intrauterine and early postnatal periods represent key developmental stages in which an organism is highly susceptible to being permanently influenced by maternal factors and nutritional status. Strong evidence indicates that either undernutrition or overnutrition during development can predispose individuals to disease later in life, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, a concept known as metabolic programming. Adipose tissue produces important signalling molecules that control energy and glucose homeostasis, including leptin and adiponectin. In addition to their well-characterized metabolic effects in adults, adipokines have been associated with metabolic programming by affecting different aspects of development. Therefore, alterations in the secretion or signalling of adipokines, caused by nutritional insults in early life, might lead to metabolic diseases in adulthood. This Review summarizes and discusses the potential role of several adipokines in inducing metabolic programming through their effects during development. The identification of the endocrine factors that act in early life to permanently influence metabolism represents a key step in understanding the mechanisms behind metabolic programming. Thus, future strategies aiming to prevent and treat these metabolic diseases can be designed, taking into consideration the relationship between adipokines and the developmental origins of health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Donato
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Chae SA, Son JS, de Avila JM, Du M, Zhu MJ. Maternal exercise improves epithelial development of fetal intestine by enhancing apelin signaling and oxidative metabolism. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2022; 323:R728-R738. [PMID: 36189989 PMCID: PMC9829469 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00128.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Obesity in pregnancy is currently the leading cause of gestational complications for the mother and fetus worldwide. Maternal obesity (MO), common in western societies, impedes development of intestinal epithelium in the fetuses, which causes disorders in the nutrient absorption and intestine-related immune responses in offspring. Here, using a mouse model of maternal exercise (ME), we found that exercise during pregnancy protects the impairment of fetal intestinal morphometrical formation and epithelial development due to MO. MO decreased villus length and epithelial proliferation markers in E18.5 fetal small intestine, which was increased due to ME. The expression of the epithelial differentiation markers, Lyz1, Muc2, and Tff3, in fetal small intestine was decreased due to MO, but protected by ME. Consistently, the biomarkers related to mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism were downregulated in MO fetal small intestine but recovered by ME. Apelin injection to dams partially mirrored the beneficial effects of ME. ME and apelin injection activated AMPK, the downstream target of apelin receptor signaling, which might mediate the improvement of fetal epithelial development and oxidative metabolism. These findings suggest that ME, a highly accessible intervention, is effective in improving fetal intestinal epithelium of obese dams. Apelin-AMPK-mitochondrial biogenesis axis provides amenable therapeutic targets to facilitate fetal intestinal development of obese mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Ah Chae
- Nutrigenomics and Growth Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Jun Seok Son
- Laboratory of Perinatal Kinesioepigenetics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeanene Marie de Avila
- Nutrigenomics and Growth Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Min Du
- Nutrigenomics and Growth Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Mei-Jun Zhu
- School of Food Science, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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Alizadeh Pahlavani H. Possible roles of exercise and apelin against pregnancy complications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:965167. [PMID: 36093083 PMCID: PMC9452694 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.965167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of maternal obesity during pregnancy is associated with the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cardiomyopathy. Environmental factors such as active lifestyles and apelin may lead to beneficial changes. In rats, apelin and exercise (45 to 65% VO2max for 6 to 9 weeks) during pregnancy increase brown adipose tissue (BAT) proteins such as Cidea, Elovl3, UCP1, PRDM16, and PGC-1α in males and females fetuses, while white adipose tissue (WAT) is reduced. In humans and animals, apelin and exercise stimulate the expression of the glucose transporters (GLUT1/2/4) in the muscle and adipose tissue through the PI3K/Akt and AMPK pathways. Hence, exercise and apelin may are known as regulators of energy metabolism and be anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties. In mice, exercise also creates a short-term hypoxic environment in the pregnant mother, activating HIF-1, VEGF, and VEGFR, and increasing angiogenesis. Exercise and apelin also increase vasodilation, angiogenesis, and suppression of inflammation through the L-arginine/eNOS/NO pathway in humans. Exercise can stimulate the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas axis in parallel with inhibiting the ACE-Ang II-AT1 pathway. Exercise and apelin seem to prevent preeclampsia through these processes. In rats, moderate-intensity exercise (60 to 70% VO2max for 8 weeks) and apelin/APJ also may prevent pathological hypertrophy in pregnancy by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway, PI3k-Akt-ERK1/2-p70S6K pathway, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Since pre-clinical studies have been more on animal models, future research with scientific guidelines should pay more attention to human specimens. In future research, time factors such as the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy and the intensity and duration of exercise are important variables that should be considered to determine the optimal intensity and duration of exercise.
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