Developmental Programming in Animal Models: Critical Evidence of Current Environmental Negative Changes

Animal Models for Studying Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKMS) has become a significant global health challenge. Since CKMS often originates early in life, as outlined by the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) concept, prevention is a more effective strategy than treatment. Various animal models, classified by environmental exposures or mechanisms, are used to explore the developmental origins of CKMS. However, no single model can fully replicate all aspects of CKMS or its clinical stages, limiting the advancement of preventive and therapeutic strategies. This review aims to assist researchers by comparing the strengths and limitations of common animal models used in CKMS programming studies and highlighting key considerations for selecting suitable models.

Key questions and gaps in understanding adipose tissue macrophages and early-life metabolic programming

The global obesity epidemic, with its associated comorbidities and increased risk of early mortality, underscores the urgent need for enhancing our understanding of the origins of this complex disease. It is increasingly clear that metabolism is programmed early in life and that metabolic programming can have life-long health consequences. As a critical metabolic organ sensitive to early-life stimuli, proper development of adipose tissue (AT) is crucial for life-long energy homeostasis. Early-life nutrients, especially fatty acids (FAs), significantly influence the programming of AT and shape its function and metabolism. Of growing interest are the dynamic responses during pre- and postnatal development to proinflammatory omega-6 (n6) and anti-inflammatory omega-3 (n3) FA exposures in AT. In the US maternal diet, the ratio of "pro-inflammatory" n6- to "anti-inflammatory" n3-FAs has grown dramatically due to the greater prevalence of n6-FAs. Notably, AT macrophages (ATMs) form a significant population within adipose stromal cells, playing not only an instrumental role in AT formation and maintenance but also acting as key mediators of cell-to-cell lipid and cytokine signaling. Despite rapid advances in ATM and immunometabolism fields, research has focused on responses to obesogenic diets and during adulthood. Consequently, there is a significant gap in identifying the mechanisms contributing metabolic health, especially regarding lipid exposures during the establishment of ATM physiology. Our review highlights the current understanding of ATM diversity, their critical role in AT, their potential role in early-life metabolic programming, and the broader implications for metabolism and health.

Current perspectives on perinatal mental health and neurobehavioral development: focus on regulation, coregulation and self-regulation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Perinatal mental health research provides an important perspective on neurobehavioral development. Here, we aim to review the association of maternal perinatal health with offspring neurodevelopment, providing an update on (self-)regulation problems, hypothesized mechanistic pathways, progress and challenges, and implications for mental health.

RECENT FINDINGS

(1) Meta-analyses confirm that maternal perinatal mental distress is associated with (self-)regulation problems which constitute cognitive, behavioral, and affective social-emotional problems, while exposure to positive parental mental health has a positive impact. However, effect sizes are small. (2) Hypothesized mechanistic pathways underlying this association are complex. Interactive and compensatory mechanisms across developmental time are neglected topics. (3) Progress has been made in multiexposure studies. However, challenges remain and these are shared by clinical, translational and public health sciences. (4) From a mental healthcare perspective, a multidisciplinary and system level approach employing developmentally-sensitive measures and timely treatment of (self-)regulation and coregulation problems in a dyadic caregiver-child and family level approach seems needed. The existing evidence-base is sparse.

SUMMARY

During the perinatal period, addressing vulnerable contexts and building resilient systems may promote neurobehavioral development. A pluralistic approach to research, taking a multidisciplinary approach to theoretical models and empirical investigation needs to be fostered.

Health position paper and redox perspectives - Disease burden by transportation noise

Transportation noise is a ubiquitous urban exposure. In 2018, the World Health Organization concluded that chronic exposure to road traffic noise is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease. In contrast, they concluded that the quality of evidence for a link to other diseases was very low to moderate. Since then, several studies on the impact of noise on various diseases have been published. Also, studies investigating the mechanistic pathways underlying noise-induced health effects are emerging. We review the current evidence regarding effects of noise on health and the related disease-mechanisms. Several high-quality cohort studies consistently found road traffic noise to be associated with a higher risk of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, diabetes, and all-cause mortality. Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that road traffic and railway noise may increase the risk of diseases not commonly investigated in an environmental noise context, including breast cancer, dementia, and tinnitus. The harmful effects of noise are related to activation of a physiological stress response and nighttime sleep disturbance. Oxidative stress and inflammation downstream of stress hormone signaling and dysregulated circadian rhythms are identified as major disease-relevant pathomechanistic drivers. We discuss the role of reactive oxygen species and present results from antioxidant interventions. Lastly, we provide an overview of oxidative stress markers and adverse redox processes reported for noise-exposed animals and humans. This position paper summarizes all available epidemiological, clinical, and preclinical evidence of transportation noise as an important environmental risk factor for public health and discusses its implications on the population level.

A comprehensive review on endocrine toxicity of gaseous components and particulate matter in smog

Smog is a form of extreme air pollution which comprises of gases such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen and carbon oxides, and solid particles including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Different types of smog include acidic, photochemical, and Polish. Smog and its constituents are hazardaous to human, animals, and plants. Smog leads to plethora of morbidities such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Smog components alter the activity of various hormones including thyroid, pituitary, gonads and adrenal hormones by altering regulatory genes, oxidation status and the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Furthermore, these toxicants are responsible for the development of metabolic disorders, teratogenicity, insulin resistance, infertility, and carcinogenicity of endocrine glands. Avoiding fossil fuel, using renewable sources of energy, and limiting gaseous discharge from industries can be helpful to avoid endocrine disruption and other toxicities of smog. This review focuses on the toxic implications of smog and its constituents on endocrine system, their toxicodynamics and preventive measures to avoid hazardous health effects.

Nutrition during pregnancy: Influence on the gut microbiome and fetal development

Pregnancy is a finely tuned process, with the health and well-being of the developing fetus determined by the metabolic status and dietary intake of the mother. The maternal gut microbiome is remodeled during pregnancy, and this, coupled with the maternal nutrient intake during gestation shapes the production of metabolites that can cross the placenta and affect fetal development. As posited by the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Hypothesis, such environmental influences can have major effects on the developing organ systems. When occurring at particularly sensitive gestational time points, these developmental programming events can have long lasting effects on offspring adaptation to the postnatal environment, and major health implications later in life. This review will summarize current knowledge on how pregnancy and maternal dietary intake intrinsically and extrinsically modify maternal gut microbiota composition and metabolite production. Further, we will assess how these factors shape the fetal landscape and ultimately contribute to offspring health. DOHaD, fetal development, metabolites, microbiome, nutrition, pregnancy, short-chain fatty acids.

The Legacy of Parental Obesity: Mechanisms of Non-Genetic Transmission and Reversibility

While a dramatic increase in obesity and related comorbidities is being witnessed, the underlying mechanisms of their spread remain unresolved. Epigenetic and other non-genetic mechanisms tend to be prominent candidates involved in the establishment and transmission of obesity and associated metabolic disorders to offspring. Here, we review recent findings addressing those candidates, in the context of maternal and paternal influences, and discuss the effectiveness of preventive measures.