Nutritional epigenetics with a focus on amino acids: implications for the development and treatment of metabolic syndrome

Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of the Neurodevelopmental Consequences of Fetal Protein Deficiency: Insights From Rodent Models and Public Health Implications

Fetal brain development requires increased maternal protein intake to ensure that offspring reach their optimal cognitive potential in infancy and adulthood. While protein deficiency remains a prevalent issue in developing countries, it is also reemerging in Western societies due to the growing adoption of plant-based diets, some of which are monotonous and may fail to provide sufficient amino acids crucial for the brain's critical developmental phase. Confounding variables in human nutritional research have impeded our understanding of the precise impact of protein deficiency on fetal neurodevelopment, as well as its implications for childhood neurocognitive performance. Moreover, it remains unclear whether such deficiency could predispose to mental health problems in adulthood, mirroring observations in individuals exposed to prenatal famine. In this review, we sought to evaluate mechanistic data derived from rodent models, placing special emphasis on the involvement of neuroendocrine axes, the influence of sex and timing, epigenetic modifications, and cellular metabolism. Despite notable progress, critical knowledge gaps remain, including understanding the long-term reversibility of effects due to fetal protein restriction and the interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Enhancing our understanding of the precise mechanisms that connect prenatal nutrition to brain development in future research endeavors can be significantly advanced by integrating multiomics approaches and utilizing additional alternative models such as nonhuman primates. Furthermore, it is crucial to investigate potential interventions aimed at alleviating adverse outcomes. Ultimately, this research has profound implications for guiding public health strategies aimed at raising awareness about the crucial role of optimal maternal nutrition in supporting fetal neurodevelopment.

Asparagine: A key metabolic junction in targeted tumor therapy

Nutrient bioavailability in the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor proliferation and metastasis. Among these nutrients, glutamine is a key substance that promotes tumor growth and proliferation, and its downstream metabolite asparagine is also crucial in tumors. Studies have shown that when glutamine is exhausted, tumor cells can rely on asparagine to sustain their growth. Given the reliance of tumor cell proliferation on asparagine, restricting its bioavailability has emerged as promising strategy in cancer treatment. For instance, the use of asparaginase, an enzyme that depletes asparagine, has been one of the key chemotherapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, tumor cells can adapt to asparagine restriction, leading to reduced chemotherapy efficacy, and the mechanisms by which different genetically altered tumors are sensitized or adapted to asparagine restriction vary. We review the sources of asparagine and explore how limiting its bioavailability impacts the progression of specific genetically altered tumors. It is hoped that by targeting the signaling pathways involved in tumor adaptation to asparagine restriction and certain factors within these pathways, the issue of drug resistance can be addressed. Importantly, these strategies offer precise therapeutic approaches for genetically altered cancers.

New findings about neuropathological outcomes in the PKU mouse throughout lifespan

Phenylketonuria (PKU, OMIM 261600) is a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). If left untreated, PKU leads to systemic phenylalanine (Phe) accumulation, which can result in irreversible brain damage and intellectual disabilities. In the last 60 years, early and strict dietary restriction of phenylalanine (Phe) intake proved to prevent the severe clinical phenotype of untreated PKU. While the specific mechanisms through which phenylalanine causes brain damage are still poorly understood, preclinical models have been deeply explored to characterize the neurotoxic effect of Phe on neurodevelopmental processes. At the same time, that on the aging brain still needs to be explored. In the brain of untreated PAHEnu2(-/-) mouse, we previously reported a reduction of myelin basic protein (MBP) during postnatal development up to 60 PND. Later in the diseased mouse's life, a spontaneous and persistent restoration of MBP was detected. In this present longitudinal study, ranging from 14 to 540 post-natal days (PND) of untreated PAHEnu2(-/-) mice, we further investigated: a) the long-life consistency of two Phe-related brain metabolic alterations, such as large neutral amino acids (LNAA) and biogenic amine neurotransmitters' depletion; b) the outcome of locomotor functions during the same life span; c) the integrity of myelin as assessed ex vivo by central (hippocampus) and peripheral (extensor digitorum longus-sciatic nerve) action potential conduction velocities. In contrast with the results of other studies, brain Leu, Ile, and Val concentrations were not significantly altered in the brain PAHEnu2(-/-) mouse. On the other hand, 3-O-Methyldopa (3-OMD, a biomarker of L-DOPA), serotonin, and its associated metabolites were reduced throughout most of the considered time points, with consistent reductions observed prevalently from 14 to 60 PND. Normal saltatory conduction was restored after 60 PND and remained normal at the last examination at 360 PND, resulting nonetheless in a persistent locomotor impairment throughout a lifetime. These new findings contribute to laying the foundations for the preclinical characterization of aging in PKU, confirming neurotransmitter defects as consistent metabolic traits. LNAAs have a minor role, if any, in brain damage pathogenesis. Transient myelin synthesis failure may impact brain connectivity during postnatal development but not nervous signal conduction.

Associations of polymetabolic risk of high maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index with pregnancy complications, birth outcomes, and early childhood neurodevelopment: findings from two pregnancy cohorts

BACKGROUND

A substantial proportion of maternal pregnancy complications, adverse birth outcomes and neurodevelopmental delay in children may be attributable to high maternal pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI). However, BMI alone is insufficient for the identification of all at-risk mothers and children as many women with non-obesity(< 30 kg/m2) or normal weight(18.5-24.99 kg/m2) and their children may suffer from adversities. Evidence suggests that BMI-related metabolic changes during pregnancy may predict adverse mother-child outcomes better than maternal anthropometric BMI.

METHODS

In a cohort of 425 mother-child dyads, we identified maternal BMI-defined metabolome based on associations of 95 metabolic measures measured three times during pregnancy with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. We then examined whether maternal BMI-defined metabolome performed better than anthropometric BMI in predicting gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, gestational weight gain (GWG), Caesarian section delivery, child gestational age and weight at birth, preterm birth, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and childhood neurodevelopment. Based on metabolic measures with the highest contributions to BMI-defined metabolome, including inflammatory and glycolysis-related measures, fatty acids, fluid balance, ketone bodies, lipids and amino acids, we created a set of maternal high BMI-related polymetabolic risk scores (PMRSs), and in an independent replication cohort of 489 mother-child dyads tested their performance in predicting the same set of mother-child outcomes in comparison to anthropometric BMI.

RESULTS

BMI-defined metabolome predicted all of the studied mother-child outcomes and improved their prediction over anthropometric BMI, except for gestational hypertension and GWG. BMI-related PMRSs predicted gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, Caesarian section delivery, admission to NICU, lower gestational age at birth, lower cognitive development score of the child, and improved their prediction over anthropometric BMI. BMI-related PMRSs predicted gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, Caesarean section delivery, NICU admission and child's lower gestational age at birth even at the levels of maternal non-obesity and normal weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal BMI-defined metabolome improves the prediction of pregnancy complications, birth outcomes, and neurodevelopment in children over anthropometric BMI. The novel, BMI-related PMRSs generated based on the BMI-defined metabolome have the potential to become biomarkers identifying at-risk mothers and their children for timely targeted interventions even at the level of maternal non-obesity and normal weight.

Amino acid metabolism in tumor biology and therapy

Amino acid metabolism plays important roles in tumor biology and tumor therapy. Accumulating evidence has shown that amino acids contribute to tumorigenesis and tumor immunity by acting as nutrients, signaling molecules, and could also regulate gene transcription and epigenetic modification. Therefore, targeting amino acid metabolism will provide new ideas for tumor treatment and become an important therapeutic approach after surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent progress of amino acid metabolism in malignancy and their interaction with signal pathways as well as their effect on tumor microenvironment and epigenetic modification. Collectively, we also highlight the potential therapeutic application and future expectation.

Thyroid hormone-responsive protein mediates the response of chicken liver to fasting mainly through the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway

1. The objective of this study was to explore the mediating role of thyroid hormone-responsive protein (THRSP) in the response of chicken liver to fasting.2. A batch of 7-d-old chicks with similar body weights were randomly divided into the control group and the fasting group (n = 10). The control group was fed ad libitum, while the test group fasted for 24 h. The liver and pectoral muscle tissues were collected. Chicken primary hepatocytes or myocytes were treated with different concentrations of thyroxine, glucose, insulin, oleic acid and palmitic acid, separately. Chicken primary hepatocytes were transfected with THRSP overexpression vector vs. empty vector, and the cells were used for transcriptome analysis. The mRNA expression of THRSP and other genes was determined by quantitative PCR.3. The expression of THRSP in chicken liver and pectoral muscle tissues was significantly inhibited by fasting (P < 0.05). In chicken primary hepatocytes, the expression of THRSP was significantly induced by thyroxine (0.25, 0.5, 1 mmol/l), glucose (50, 100 mmol/l), and insulin (20 nmol/l), and was significantly inhibited by palmitic acid (0.125, 0.25 mmol/l). In the myocytes, expression of THRSP was significantly induced by thyroxine (0.25, 0.5, 1 mmol/l), glucose (50 mmol/l) and oleic acid (0.125, 0.25 mmol/l), was significantly inhibited by insulin (5 nmol/l) and was not significantly affected by palmitic acid.4. Transcriptome analysis showed that overexpression of THRSP significantly affected the expression of 1411 DEGs, of which 1007 were up-regulated and 404 were down-regulated. The GO term and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses showed that these DEGs were mainly enriched in the interaction between cytokine and cytokine receptor and its regulation and signal transduction, cell growth and apoptosis and its regulation, immune response and retinol metabolism.5. In conclusion, the THRSP gene mediates biological effects of fasting by influencing the expressional regulation of the genes related to biological processes such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, cell growth and apoptosis, immune response, retinol metabolism, including TGM2, HSD17B2, RUNX3, IRF1, ANKRD6, UPP2, IKBKE, and PYCR1 genes, in chicken liver.

Metabolic syndrome: Nutri-epigenetic cause or consequence?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that results from the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, which increase the comorbidity risk of obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. In this article, we review various high-impact studies which link epigenetics with metabolic syndrome by comparing each study population, methylation effects, and strengths and weaknesses of each research. We also discuss world statistical data on metabolic syndrome incidence in developing countries where the metabolic syndrome is common condition that has significant public health implications.

Metabolite profiles and DNA methylation in metabolic syndrome: a two-sample, bidirectional Mendelian randomization

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Previous '-omics' studies have identified dysregulated serum metabolites and aberrant DNA methylation in the setting of MetS. However, the relationship between the metabolome and epigenome have not been elucidated. In this study, we identified serum metabolites associated with MetS and DNA methylation, and we conducted bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess causal relationships between metabolites and methylation. Methods: We leveraged metabolomic and genomic data from a national United States cohort of older adults (REGARDS), as well as metabolomic, epigenomic, and genomic data from a family-based study of hypertension (HyperGEN). We conducted metabolite profiling for MetS in REGARDS using weighted logistic regression models and validated them in HyperGEN. Validated metabolites were selected for methylation studies which fit linear mixed models between metabolites and six CpG sites previously linked to MetS. Statistically significant metabolite-CpG pairs were selected for two-sample, bidirectional MR. Results: Forward MR indicated that glucose and serine metabolites were causal on CpG methylation near CPT1A [B(SE): -0.003 (0.002), p = 0.028 and B(SE): 0.029 (0.011), p = 0.030, respectively] and that serine metabolites were causal on ABCG1 [B(SE): -0.008(0.003), p = 0.006] and SREBF1 [B(SE): -0.009(0.004), p = 0.018] methylation, which suggested a protective effect of serine. Reverse MR showed a bidirectional relationship between cg06500161 (ABCG1) and serine [B(SE): -1.534 (0.668), p = 0.023]. Discussion: The metabolome may contribute to the relationship between MetS and epigenetic modifications.

Effect of the Supplementation Using an Herbal Mixture as a Choline Source during Early Gestation in Rambouillet Ewes

Previous research indicates that adequate choline nutrition during late gestation improves fetal development. However, there is a lack of studies describing choline's role during early gestation. Thus, the current study hypothesizes that an herbal mixture as a source of choline (Biocholine) positively affects offspring development from ewes supplemented during early gestation. Therefore, the objectives were to evaluate the impact of biocholine on the programming of the offspring early in life through the evaluation of dams and newborn performance. Twenty-eight four-year-old Rambouillet ewes were assigned randomly to two treatments: non-supplementation and 4 gd^-1 of biocholine during the early gestation. Compared with the dams without supplementation, the ewes supplemented using biocholine showed no increase in parameters such as birth and weaning weight (p > 0.05). Additionally, the milk yield and quality of colostrum and milk did not present statistical differences (p > 0.05). However, the placental membrane development was reduced in the ewes that received supplementation with biocholine; interestingly, those dams increased the weight of the newborns during the lambing period (p < 0.05). Finally, the current study proposes necessary elucidation of how placental size is programmed and if less placental development has potential benefits in the fetus's development.

Methionine Supplementation during Pregnancy of Goats Improves Kids' Birth Weight, Body Mass Index, and Postnatal Growth Pattern

The last third of gestation is a period of high energy and protein demand for the dam to support fetal growth and the following onset of lactation. Methionine is an essential amino acid that contributes to protein formation, fetal development, and milk synthesis; thus, is likely to have positive effects on the weight and size of the newborn and, afterward, milk yield and milk composition, which may improve growth patterns of the progeny. To test these hypotheses, we used 60 pregnant multiparous Alpine goats with similar live weights and gestational ages (~Day 100 of pregnancy; Mean ± SD; 1410 ± 14 days old and 50.4 ± 6.6 kg) and were separated into two groups: control and supplemented with the delivery. Treatments were T-MET (n = 30; received 1% herbal methionine Optimethione® dry matter based on from Day 100 of the pregnancy to delivery) or T-CTL (n = 30; served as the control and did not receive methionine). The methionine powder provided individual supplementation and was adjusted every week as the live weight and dry matter intake changed. At birth, the weight, body mass index (BMI), birth type, and sex of the kids were determined. Subsequently, the progeny was weighed weekly up to weaning. Two weeks after parturition, the milk composition was recorded weekly, and the milk yield was recorded monthly. The maternal live weight at the start (Mean ± SEM; T-CTL: 50.5 ± 1.1 vs. T-MET: 50.3 ± 1.3 kg) and end (T-CTL: 54.2 ± 1.3 vs. T-MET: 52.8 ± 1.4 kg) of the experiment did not differ statistically among treatments (p > 0.05); however, daily live weight changes tended to differ between groups (T-CTL: 73 ± 10 vs. T-MET: 51 ± 7 g day−1; p = 0.06). The birth weight (T-CTL: 3.1 ± 0.1 vs. T-MET: 3.5 ± 0.1 kg; p < 0.001), daily live weight change (T-CTL: 121 ± 6 vs. T-MET: 141 ± 6 g day−1; p < 0.01), and weaning weight (T-CTL: 8.3 ± 0.2 vs. T-MET: 9.3 ± 0.3 kg; p < 0.01) differed between treatments. The BMI at birth (T-CTL: 0.28 ± 0.01 vs. T-MET: 0.3 ± 0.01 units kg m−2; p < 0.01) and at weaning (T-CTL: 0.85 ± 0.1 kg vs. T-MET: 1.00 ± 0.06 units kg m−2; p < 0.05) differed between treatments. Milk components (protein, fat, lactose, and solids non-fat) and milk yield were similar between treatments (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the inclusion of methionine in the maternal goat diet during the last third of gestation increases the birth and growth variables of the progeny but without significant influence on the milk yield and composition.

Genetic regulation and variation of expression of miRNA and mRNA transcripts in fetal muscle tissue in the context of sex, dam and variable fetal weight

BACKGROUND

Impaired skeletal muscle growth in utero can result in reduced birth weight and pathogenesis of intrauterine growth restriction. Fetal and placental growth is influenced by many factors including genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. In fact, the sex and genotype of the fetus itself, as well as the mother providing it with a suitable environment, influence the growth of the fetus. Hence, our goal was to decipher and elucidate the molecular pathways of developmental processes mediated by miRNAs and mRNAs in fetal muscle tissue in the context of sex, dam, and fetal weight. Therefore, we analyse the variation of miRNA and mRNA expression in relation to these factors. In addition, the coincidence of genetic regulation of these mRNAs and miRNAs, as revealed by expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses, with sex-, mother- and weight-associated expression was investigated.

METHODS

A three-generation pig F2 population (n = 118) based on reciprocal crossing of German Landrace (DL) and Pietrain (Pi) was used. Genotype information and transcriptomic data (mRNA and miRNA) from longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) of pig fetuses sampled at 63 days post-conception (dpc) were used for eQTL analyses.

RESULTS

The transcript abundances of 13, 853, and 275 probe-sets were influenced by sex, dam and fetal weight at 63 dpc, respectively (FDR < 5%). Most of significant transcripts affected by sex were located on the sex chromosomes including KDM6A and ANOS1 or autosomes including ANKS1B, LOC100155138 and miR-153. The fetal muscle transcripts associated with fetal weight indicated clearer metabolic directions than maternally influenced fetal muscle transcripts. Moreover, coincidence of genetic regulation (eQTL) and variation in transcript abundance due to sex, dam and fetal weight were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating information on eQTL, sex-, dam- and weight-associated differential expression and QTL for fetal weight allowed us to identify molecular pathways and shed light on the basic biological processes associated with differential muscle development in males and females, with implications for adaptive fetal programming.

Insulin Resistance Is Cheerfully Hitched with Hypertension

Cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have risen steadily worldwide, particularly in low-income and developing countries. In the last hundred years, deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases increased rapidly to 35–40%, becoming the most common cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is aggravated by hypertension. Hypertension and diabetes are closely interlinked since they have similar risk factors such as endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, arterial remodeling, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Patients with high blood pressure often show insulin resistance and have a higher risk of developing diabetes than normotensive individuals. It has been observed that over the last 30 years, the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) has increased significantly. Accordingly, hypertension and insulin resistance are strongly related to an increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and endocrine disorders. Common mechanisms, for instance, upregulation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, oxidative stress, inflammation, and activation of the immune system, possibly have a role in the association between diabetes and hypertension. Altogether these abnormalities significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Appraisal of Gene-Environment Interactions in GWAS for Evidence-Based Precision Nutrition Implementation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to analyse the currently reported gene-environment (G × E) interactions in genome-wide association studies (GWAS), involving environmental factors such as lifestyle and dietary habits related to metabolic syndrome phenotypes. For this purpose, the present manuscript reviews the available GWAS registered on the GWAS Catalog reporting the interaction between environmental factors and metabolic syndrome traits.

RECENT FINDINGS

Advances in omics-related analytical and computational approaches in recent years have led to a better understanding of the biological processes underlying these G × E interactions. A total of 42 GWAS were analysed, reporting over 300 loci interacting with environmental factors. Alcohol consumption, sleep time, smoking habit and physical activity were the most studied environmental factors with significant G × E interactions. The implementation of more comprehensive GWAS will provide a better understanding of the metabolic processes that determine individual responses to environmental exposures and their association with the development of chronic diseases such as obesity and the metabolic syndrome. This will facilitate the development of precision approaches for better prevention, management and treatment of these diseases.

The effects of vitamins and dietary pattern on epigenetic modification of non-communicable diseases

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have received more attention because of high prevalence and mortality rate. Besides genetic and environmental factors, the epigenetic abnormality is also involved in the pathogenesis of NCDs. Methylation of DNA, chromatin remodeling, modification of histone, and long non-coding RNAs are the main components of epigenetic phenomena. Methodology: In this review paper, the mechanistic role of vitamins and dietary patterns on epigenetic modification was discussed. All papers indexed in scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, and Elsevier were searched during 2000 - 2021 using, vitamins, diet, epigenetic repression, histones, methylation, acetylation, and NCDs as keywords. Results: The components of healthy dietary patterns like Mediterranean and dietary approaches to stop hypertension diets have a beneficial effect on epigenetic hemostasis. Both quality and quantity of dietary components influence epigenetic phenomena. A diet with calorie deficiency in protein content and methyl-donor agents in a long time, with a high level of fat, disrupts epigenetic hemostasis and finally, causes genome instability. Also, soluble and insoluble vitamins have an obvious role in epigenetic modifications. Most vitamins interact directly with methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation pathways of histone and DNA. However, numerous indirect functions related to the cell cycle stability and genome integrity have been recognized. Conclusion: Considering the crucial role of a healthy diet in epigenetic homeostasis, adherence to a healthy dietary pattern containing enough levels of vitamin and avoiding the western diet seems to be necessary. Having a healthy diet and consuming the recommended dietary level of vitamins can also contribute to epigenetic stability.

Effects of Maternal Obesity and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on the Placenta: Current Knowledge and Targets for Therapeutic Interventions

Obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are becoming more common among pregnant women worldwide and are individually associated with a number of placenta-mediated obstetric complications, including preeclampsia, macrosomia, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth. The placenta serves several functions throughout pregnancy and is the main exchange site for the transfer of nutrients and gas from mother to fetus. In pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity or GDM, the placenta is exposed to environmental changes, such as increased inflammation and oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and altered hormone levels. These changes can affect placental development and function and lead to abnormal fetal growth and development as well as metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities in the offspring. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the effects of obesity and GDM on placental development and function. Understanding these processes is key in developing therapeutic interventions with the goal of mitigating these effects and preventing future cardiovascular and metabolic pathology in subsequent generations.

Dietary Methionine Deficiency Enhances Genetic Instability in Murine Immune Cells

Both cell and animal studies have shown that complete or partial deficiency of methionine inhibits tumor growth. Consequently, the potential implementation of this nutritional intervention has recently been of great interest for the treatment of cancer patients. Unfortunately, diet alteration can also affect healthy immune cells such as monocytes/macrophages and their precursor cells in bone marrow. As around half of cancer patients are treated with radiotherapy, the potential deleterious effect of dietary methionine deficiency on immune cells prior to and/or following irradiation needs to be evaluated. Therefore, we examined whether modulation of methionine content alters genetic stability in the murine RAW 264.7 monocyte/macrophage cell line in vitro by chromosomal analysis after 1-month culture in a methionine-deficient or supplemented medium. We also analyzed chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of CBA/J mice fed with methionine-deficient or supplemented diet for 2 months. While all RAW 264.7 cells revealed a complex translocation involving three chromosomes, three different clones based on the banding pattern of chromosome 9 were identified. Methionine deficiency altered the ratio of the three clones and increased chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage in RAW 264.7. Methionine deficiency also increased radiation-induced chromosomal aberration and DNA damage in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, mice maintained on a methionine-deficient diet showed more chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells than those given methionine-adequate or supplemented diets. These findings suggest that caution is warranted for clinical implementation of methionine-deficient diet concurrent with conventional cancer therapy.

The Predictive Value of miR-16, -29a and -134 for Early Identification of Gestational Diabetes: A Nested Analysis of the DALI Cohort

Early identification of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) aims to reduce the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Currently, no circulating biomarker has proven clinically useful for accurate prediction of GDM. In this study, we tested if a panel of small non-coding circulating RNAs could improve early prediction of GDM. We performed a nested case-control study of participants from the European multicenter ‘Vitamin D and lifestyle intervention for GDM prevention (DALI)’ trial using serum samples from obese pregnant women (BMI ≥ 29 kg/m²) entailing 82 GDM cases (early- and late- GDM), and 41 age- and BMI-matched women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) throughout pregnancy (controls). Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical characteristics were obtained at baseline (<20 weeks of gestation) and throughout gestation. Baseline serum microRNAs (miRNAs) were measured using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Elevated miR-16-5p, -29a-3p, and -134-5p levels were observed in women, who were NGT at baseline and later developed GDM, compared with controls who remained NGT. A combination of the three miRNAs could distinguish later GDM from NGT cases (AUC 0.717, p = 0.001, compared with fasting plasma glucose (AUC 0.687, p = 0.004)) as evaluated by area under the curves (AUCs) using Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Elevated levels of individual miRNAs or a combination hereof were associated with higher odds ratios of GDM. Conclusively, circulating miRNAs early in pregnancy could serve as valuable predictive biomarkers of GDM.

Plasma Metabolomic Signatures of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and the Impact of Genetic Variants on Phenotype-Driven Modules

Background: Small studies have recently suggested that there are specific plasma metabolic signatures in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but there have been no large comprehensive study of metabolomic signatures in COPD that also integrate genetic variants. Materials and Methods: Fresh frozen plasma from 957 non-Hispanic white subjects in COPDGene was used to quantify 995 metabolites with Metabolon's global metabolomics platform. Metabolite associations with five COPD phenotypes (chronic bronchitis, exacerbation frequency, percent emphysema, post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume at one second [FEV1]/forced vital capacity [FVC], and FEV1 percent predicted) were assessed. A metabolome-wide association study was performed to find genetic associations with metabolite levels. Significantly associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms were tested for replication with independent metabolomic platforms and independent cohorts. COPD phenotype-driven modules were identified in network analysis integrated with genetic associations to assess gene-metabolite-phenotype interactions. Results: Of metabolites tested, 147 (14.8%) were significantly associated with at least 1 COPD phenotype. Associations with airflow obstruction were enriched for diacylglycerols and branched chain amino acids. Genetic associations were observed with 109 (11%) metabolites, 72 (66%) of which replicated in an independent cohort. For 20 metabolites, more than 20% of variance was explained by genetics. A sparse network of COPD phenotype-driven modules was identified, often containing metabolites missed in previous testing. Of the 26 COPD phenotype-driven modules, 6 contained metabolites with significant met-QTLs, although little module variance was explained by genetics. Conclusion: A dysregulation of systemic metabolism was predominantly found in COPD phenotypes characterized by airflow obstruction, where we identified robust heritable effects on individual metabolite abundances. However, network analysis, which increased the statistical power to detect associations missed previously in classic regression analyses, revealed that the genetic influence on COPD phenotype-driven metabolomic modules was modest when compared with clinical and environmental factors.

Influence of Nutritional Intake of Carbohydrates on Mitochondrial Structure, Dynamics, and Functions during Adipogenesis

Obesity is an alarming yet increasing phenomenon worldwide, and more effective obesity management strategies have become essential. In addition to the numerous anti-adipogenic treatments promising a restauration of a healthy white adipose tissue (WAT) function, numerous studies reported on the critical role of nutritional parameters in obesity development. In a metabolic disorder context, a better control of nutrient intake is a key step in slowing down adipogenesis and therefore obesity. Of interest, the effect on WAT remodeling deserves deeper investigations. Among the different actors of WAT plasticity, the mitochondrial network plays a central role due to its dynamics and essential cellular functions. Hence, the present in vitro study, conducted on the 3T3-L1 cell line, aimed at evaluating the incidence of modulating the carbohydrates intake on adipogenesis through an integrated assessment of mitochondrial structure, dynamics, and functions-correlated changes. For this purpose, our experimental strategy was to compare the occurrence of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells cultured either in a high-glucose (HG) medium (25 mM) or in a low-glucose (LG) medium (5 mM) supplemented with equivalent galactose (GAL) levels (20 mM). The present LG-GAL condition was associated, in differentiating adipocytes, to a reduced lipid droplet network, lower expressions of early and late adipogenic genes and proteins, an increased mitochondrial network with higher biogenesis marker expression, an equilibrium in the mitochondrial fusion/fission pattern, and a decreased expression of mitochondrial metabolic overload protein markers. Therefore, those main findings show a clear effect of modulating glucose accessibility on 3T3-L1 adipogenesis through a combined effect of adipogenesis modulation and overall improvement of the mitochondrial health status. This nutritional approach offers promising opportunities in the control and prevention of obesity.

Supplemental Herbal Choline Increases 5-hmC DNA on Whole Blood from Pregnant Ewes and Offspring

Simple Summary

DNA hydroxymethylation (5-hmC) is an epigenetic mechanism that modifies the five positions of cytosine through the addition of a hydroxymethyl group to DNA. In the last decade, the use of herbal products, marketed as dietary supplements or “nutraceuticals” in some countries, has increased rapidly; however, there is a lack of evidence on the extent to which formulas used during pregnancy cause epigenetic changes in the fetus. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of supplementing an herbal choline source (BCho) on 5-hmC DNA in whole blood from gestating ewes and their offspring. Such data would provide evidence of nutritional programming effects.

Abstract

Herbal formulas during pregnancy have been used in developing countries. Despite that, the potential effects on the mother and offspring and whether those supplements elicit epigenetic modifications is still unknown. Therefore, our objectives were to determine the effects of supplemental herbal choline source (BCho) on the percentage of 5-hmC in whole blood from gestating ewes and their offspring, as well as determining the milk quality and growth of the offspring. Thirty-five gestating Rambouillet ewes were randomly assigned to five treatments: T1, supplementation of 4 g per day (gd⁻¹) of BCho during the first third of gestation; T2, supplementation of 4 gd⁻¹ of BCho during the second third of gestation; T3, supplementation of 4 gd⁻¹ of BCho during the last third of gestation; T4, supplementation of 4 gd⁻¹ of BCho throughout gestation; and T5, no BCho supplementation (control). For the 5-hmC DNA analysis, whole blood from ewes was sampled before pregnancy and at each third of gestation (50 days). Whole blood from lambs was sampled five weeks after birth. The evaluation of the nutritional programming effects was conducted through the percentages of 5-hmC in the lambs. Compared with other treatments, the whole blood from ewes supplemented during T1 and T4 had the greatest 5-hmC percentages (p < 0.05). However, only ewes fed BCho throughout gestation (T4) maintained the greatest percentages of 5-hmC (p < 0.05). The lamb growth performance indicated that the BCho maternal supplementation did not affect the nutritional programming. However, the lambs born from ewes supplemented during T2 had the greatest 5-hmC percentages (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that ewes supplemented during T4 with BCho increase and maintain the percentages of 5-hmC in whole blood, and the offspring born from ewes supplemented with BCho during T2 maintained the greatest percentages of 5-hmC 35 d after they were born.

Maternal L-proline supplementation enhances fetal survival, placental development, and nutrient transport in mice†

L-Proline (proline) in amniotic fluid was markedly increased during pregnancy in both pigs and sheep. However, in vivo data to support a beneficial effect of proline on fetal survival are not available. In this study, pregnant C57BL/6J mice were fed a purified diet supplemented with or without 0.50% proline from embryonic day 0.5 (E0.5) to E12.5 or term. Results indicated that dietary supplementation with proline to gestating mice enhanced fetal survival, reproductive performance, the concentrations of proline, arginine, aspartic acid, and tryptophan in plasma and amniotic fluid, while decreasing the concentrations of ammonia and urea in plasma and amniotic fluid. Placental mRNA levels for amino acid transporters, including Slc36a4, Slc38a2, Slc38a4, Slc6a14, and Na+/K+ ATPase subunit-1α (Atp1a1), fatty acid transporter Slc27a4, and glucose transporters Slc2a1 and Slc2a3, were augmented in proline-supplemented mice, compared with the control group. Histological analysis showed that proline supplementation enhanced labyrinth zone in the placenta of mice at E12.5, mRNA levels for Vegf, Vegfr, Nos2, and Nos3, compared with the controls. Western blot analysis showed that proline supplementation increased protein abundances of phosphorylated (p)-mTORC1, p-ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), and p-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), as well as the protein level of GCN2 (a negative regulator of mTORC1 signaling). Collectively, our results indicate a novel functional role of proline in improving placental development and fetal survival by enhancing placental nutrient transport, angiogenesis, and protein synthesis.

Maternal Nutrient Restriction and Skeletal Muscle Development: Consequences for Postnatal Health

Severe undernutrition and famine continue to be a worldwide concern, as cases have been increasing in the past 5 years, particularly in developing countries. The occurrence of nutrient restriction (NR) during pregnancy affects fetal growth, leading to small for gestational age (SGA) or intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) offspring. During adulthood, SGA and IUGR offspring are at a higher risk for the development of metabolic syndrome. Skeletal muscle is particularly sensitive to prenatal NR. This tissue plays an essential role in oxidation and glucose metabolism because roughly 80% of insulin-mediated glucose uptake occurs in muscle, and it represents around 40% of body weight. Alterations in myofiber number, hypertrophy and myofiber type composition, decreased protein synthesis, lower mitochondrial content and activity of oxidative enzymes, and increased accumulation of intramuscular triglycerides are among the described programming effects of maternal NR on skeletal muscle. Together, these features would add to a phenotype that is prone to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Insights from diverse animal models (i.e. ovine, swine, and rodent) have provided valuable information regarding the molecular mechanisms behind those altered developmental pathways. Understanding those molecular signatures supports the development of efficient treatments to counteract the effects of maternal NR on skeletal muscle, and its negative implications for postnatal health.

Plasma Metabolomics and Lipidomics Reveal Perturbed Metabolites in Different Disease Stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow restriction. It is usually manifested as airway and/or alveolar abnormalities caused by significant exposure to harmful particulates or gases.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to explore plasma metabolomic changes in the acute exacerbation stage of COPD (AECOPD) and stable stage of COPD (Stable COPD) to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis in clinical practice.

METHODS

Untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics analyses were performed to investigate dysregulated molecules in blood plasma of AECOPD patients (n=48) and Stable COPD (n=48), and a cohort of healthy people were included as a control group (n=48). Statistical analysis and bioinformatics analysis were performed to reveal dysregulated metabolites and perturbed metabolic pathways. SVM-based multivariate ROC analysis was used for candidate biomarker screening.

RESULTS

A total of 142 metabolites and 688 lipids were dysregulated in COPD patients. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that several metabolic pathways were perturbed after COPD onset. Several biomarker panels were proposed for diagnosis of COPD vs healthy control and AECOPD vs Stable COPD with AUC greater than 0.9.

CONCLUSION

Numerous plasma metabolites and several metabolic pathways were detected relevant to COPD disease onset or progression. These metabolites may be considered as candidate biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis of COPD. The perturbed pathways involved in COPD provide clues for further pathological mechanism studies of COPD.

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Maternal Dietary Protein and Amino Acids Affecting Growth and Development of Offspring

Nutrients can regulate metabolic activities of living organisms through epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA regulation. Since the nutrients required for early embryos and postpartum lactation are derived in whole or in part from maternal and lactating nutrition, the maternal nutritional level affects the growth and development of fetus and creates a profound relationship between disease development and early environmental exposure in the offspring's later life. Protein is one of the most important biological macromolecules, involved in almost every process of life, such as information transmission, energy processing and material metabolism. Maternal protein intake levels may affect the integrity of the fetal genome and alter DNA methylation and gene expression. Most amino acids are supplied to the fetus from the maternal circulation through active transport of placenta. Some amino acids, such as methionine, as dietary methyl donor, play an important role in DNA methylation and body's one-carbon metabolism. The purpose of this review is to describe effects of maternal dietary protein and amino acid intake on fetal and neonatal growth and development through epigenetic mechanisms, with examples in humans and animals.

miR-140 inhibits porcine fetal fibroblasts proliferation by directly targeting type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor and indirectly inhibiting type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor expression via SRY-box 4

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of miR-140 on the proliferation of porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs) and identify the target genes of miR-140 in PFFs.

Methods

In this study, bioinformatics software was used to predict and verify target genes of miR-140. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to detect the relationship between miR-140 and its target genes in PFFs. Dual luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to assess the interactions among miR-140, type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R), and SRY-box 4 (SOX4). The effect of miR-140 on the proliferation of PFFs was measured by CCK-8 when PFFs were transfected with a miR-140 mimic or inhibitor. The transcription factor SOX4 binding to promoter of IGF1R was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP).

Results

miR-140 directly targeted IGF1R and inhibited proliferation of PFFs. Meanwhile, miR-140 targeted transcription factor SOX4 that binds to promoter of porcine IGF1R to indirectly inhibit the expression of IGF1R. In addition, miR-140 inhibitor promoted PFFs proliferation, which is abrogated by SOX4 or IGF1R knockdown.

Conclusion

miR-140 inhibited PFFs proliferation by directly targeting IGF1R and indirectly inhibiting IGF1R expression via SOX4, which play an important role in the development of porcine fetal.

Effect of live yeast supplementation to gestating sows and nursery piglets on postweaning growth performance and nutrient digestibility

The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of live yeast (LY) supplementation of sows during gestation and lactation and to determine the effects of supplementation of their offspring after weaning on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. A total of 40 sows were assigned to 2 dietary treatments (control vs. LY) based on parity and expected farrowing date. Birth weight, weaning weight, litter size, and mortality were measured. After weaning, 128 mixed-sex piglets (64 from each sow treatment) were selected based on their source litter and initial BW, and randomly assigned to 2 treatments (control or LY) at 4 pigs per pen (total of 32 pigs per treatment) for a 6-wk growth performance study. At the end of the growth performance trial, 2 barrows from each pen were moved to metabolism crates for total fecal collection for a digestibility trial. Addition of LY to the sow diets had no effects on birth weight, weaning weight, litter size at birth, and mortality. Piglets had greater BW on days 21 and 42 post-weaning when sows were fed diets supplemented with LY, and overall ADG was greater in piglets from sows that received LY (P < 0.05). There was no effect of sow and nursery diets on overall ADFI and G:F intake. Supplementing diets with LY during the nursery phase increased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, GE, and phosphorus (P) during this phase. The ATTD of GE was also greater in piglets from sows that received LY. In conclusion, LY supplementation of diets during gestation and lactation and during the nursery phase could increase ADG and ATTD of DM, GE, and P in the offspring, and this may lead to a greater lifetime growth performance in the offspring.

An Updated Overview of Metabolomic Profile Changes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common and heterogeneous respiratory disease, is characterized by persistent and incompletely reversible airflow limitation. Metabolomics is applied to analyze the difference of metabolic profile based on the low-molecular-weight metabolites (<1 kDa). Emerging metabolomic analysis may provide insights into the pathogenesis and diagnosis of COPD. This review aims to summarize the alteration of metabolites in blood/serum/plasma, urine, exhaled breath condensate, lung tissue samples, etc. from COPD individuals, thereby uncovering the potential pathogenesis of COPD according to the perturbed metabolic pathways. Metabolomic researches have indicated that the dysfunctions of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, energy production pathways, and the imbalance of oxidations and antioxidations might lead to local and systematic inflammation by activating the Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway and releasing inflammatory cytokines, like interleutin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-8. In addition, they might cause protein malnutrition and oxidative stress and contribute to the development and exacerbation of COPD.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Pregnancy Nutrients and Developmental Programming of Adult Disease

Maternal nutrition plays a decisive role in developmental programming of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A variety of nutritional insults during gestation can cause programming and contribute to the development of adult-onset diseases. Nutritional interventions during pregnancy may serve as reprogramming strategies to reverse programming processes and prevent NCDs. In this review, firstly we summarize epidemiological evidence for nutritional programming of human disease. It will also discuss evidence from animal models, for the common mechanisms underlying nutritional programming, and potential nutritional interventions used as reprogramming strategies.

Effects of Dietary Rumen-Protected Betaine Supplementation on Performance of Postpartum Dairy Cows and Immunity of Newborn Calves

Simple Summary

Betaine plays an important role in growth, lactation, protein synthesis, and fat metabolism in animals, but there are few studies on transition dairy cows and newborn calves. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected betaine supplementation from four weeks before expected calving to six weeks postpartum regarding the lactation performance and blood metabolites of dairy cows and immunity of newborn calves. The results suggested that betaine supplementation tended to increase fat mobilization of postpartum dairy cows. Furthermore, compared to the control calves, the betaine calves had greater plasma total protein and globulin concentrations, which indicates that the immunity of the betaine calves might have improved.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected betaine supplementation on performance of postpartum dairy cows and immunity of newborn calves. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided into the control (CON, n = 12) and rumen-protected betaine (BET, n = 12) groups after blocking by parity and milk yield during the previous lactation cycle. The cows were fed a basal total mixed ration diet without BET (CON) or with BET at 20 g/d per cow (BET) from four weeks before expected calving to six weeks postpartum. The results showed that betaine supplementation had no effect on dry matter intake and milk yield of the cows. The BET cows tended to increase feed efficiency (energy-corrected milk/dry matter intake) and body weight loss postpartum compared to the CON cows. The plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations of the BET cows were greater at d seven after calving than those of the CON cows. Moreover, compared to the CON calves, the BET calves had greater plasma total protein and globulin concentrations. The plasma glucose concentrations of the BET calves tended to decrease relative to CON cows. In conclusion, rumen-protected betaine supplementation from four weeks before expected calving tended to increase fat mobilization of postpartum dairy cows, and might improve the immunity of newborn calves.

Maternal L-proline supplementation during gestation alters amino acid and polyamine metabolism in the first generation female offspring of C57BL/6J mice

We recently reported that dietary supplementation with L-proline (proline) during gestation improved embryonic survival in C57BL/6J mice. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the effect of maternal proline supplementation on embryonic survival can be carried forward to the first generation female offspring. In the F0 generation, pregnant dams were fed a purified diet supplemented with 0 (control) or 5 g proline/kg diet. The F1 female adult offsprings were bred to fertile males. Fetal survival at embryonic day (E)12.5 and reproductive outcomes at term birth were recorded. The concentrations of amino acids, ammonia, and urea in plasma and amniotic fluid, as well as concentrations of polyamines in placental tissues and amniotic fluid at E12.5 were determined. Results showed that the F1 generation female offspring from proline-supplemented dams had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of glutamate and taurine in plasma; of putrescine and spermidine in placental tissues; and of glycine, taurine, and spermidine in amniotic fluid at E12.5, as compared with F1 generation female offsprings from dams without proline supplementation. Concentration of proline in the plasma of offspring mice from proline-supplemented dams were lower (P < 0.05), as compared with the control group. No differences in fetal survival, reproductive outcomes, or concentrations of ammonia and urea in plasma and amniotic fluid were observed between the two groups of F1 female offspring. Collectively, our results indicate that the benefits of maternal proline supplementation during gestation on improving embryonic survival and fetal growth in F0 females are not transmitted to their F1 generation females.

Maternal Protein Malnutrition: Current and Future Perspectives of Spirulina Supplementation in Neuroprotection

Malnutrition has been widely recognized as a grave burden restricting the progress of underdeveloped and developing countries. Maternal, neonatal and postnatal nutritional immunity provides an effective approach to decrease the risk of malnutrition associated stress in adulthood. Particularly, maternal nutritional status is a critical contributor for determining the long-term health aspects of an offspring. Maternal malnutrition leads to increased risk of life, poor immune system, delayed motor development and cognitive dysfunction in the children. An effective immunomodulatory intervention using nutraceutical could be used to enhance immunity against infections. The immune system in early life possesses enormous dynamic capacity to manage both genetic and environment driven processes and can adapt to rapidly changing environmental exposures. These immunomodulatory stimuli or potent nutraceutical strategy can make use of early life plasticity to target pathways of immune ontogeny, which in turn could increase the immunity against infectious diseases arising from malnutrition. This review provides appreciable human and animal data showing enduring effects of protein deprivation on CNS development, oxidative stress and inflammation and associated behavioral and cognitive impairments. Relevant studies on nutritional supplementation and rehabilitation using Spirulina as a potent protein source and neuroprotectant against protein malnutrition (PMN) induced deleterious changes have also been discussed. However, there are many futuristic issues that need to be resolved for proper modulation of these therapeutic interventions to prevent malnutrition.

The Double-Edged Sword Effects of Maternal Nutrition in the Developmental Programming of Hypertension

Hypertension is a growing global epidemic. Developmental programming resulting in hypertension can begin in early life. Maternal nutrition status has important implications as a double-edged sword in the developmental programming of hypertension. Imbalanced maternal nutrition causes offspring's hypertension, while specific nutritional interventions during pregnancy and lactation may serve as reprogramming strategies to reverse programming processes and prevent the development of hypertension. In this review, we first summarize the human and animal data supporting the link between maternal nutrition and developmental programming of hypertension. This review also presents common mechanisms underlying nutritional programming-induced hypertension. This will be followed by studies documenting nutritional interventions as reprogramming strategies to protect against hypertension from developmental origins. The identification of ideal nutritional interventions for the prevention of hypertension development that begins early in life will have a lifelong impact, with profound savings in the global burden of hypertension.

Fish Skin Gelatin Hydrolysate Production by Ginger Powder Induces Glutathione Synthesis To Prevent Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Intestinal Oxidative Stress via the Pept1-p62-Nrf2 Cascade

Gelatin hydrolysate was reported to contain large amounts of biologically active peptides with excellent antioxidant properties. However, its inducement of antioxidant response within cells and the underlying molecular mechanism are far from clear. Here, gelatin from Nile tilapia skin was hydrolyzed by ginger protease to produce antioxidant hydrolysate, and three fish skin gelatin hydrolysate fractions (FSGHFs) were obtained by ultrafiltration. Fractionation of the hydrolysate increased the free radical scavenging capacity of the FSGHFs, particularly FSGHF3, which showed the lowest molecular weight (below 1000 Da). Furthermore, FSGHF3 treatment prior to H2O2 exposure increased cell viability and membrane integrity in IPEC-J2 cells. H2O2-induced ROS production and epithelial barrier damage were suppressed by FSGHF3 pretreatment. FSGHF3 stimulated the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), along with increases in the mRNA and protein expression of catalytic and modulatory subunits of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase as well as in the level of glutathione. Silencing of Nrf2 or p62 (an upstream regulator of Nrf2) suppressed FSGHF3-induced Nrf2 activation and its protection against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, oligopeptides in FSGHF3 may mediate the cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress, which was confirmed by the result that FSGHF3 failed to inhibit the ROS production in H2O2-exposed cells with the knockdown of Pept1 (an oligopeptide transporter). Therefore, FSGHF3 can induce glutathione synthesis and prevent oxidative stress through the Pept1-p62-Nrf2 cascade and thus may be a functional food for gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Autophagy as an emerging target in cardiorenal metabolic disease: From pathophysiology to management

Although advances in medical technology and health care have improved the early diagnosis and management for cardiorenal metabolic disorders, the prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and kidney disease remains high. Findings from numerous population-based studies, clinical trials, and experimental evidence have consolidated a number of theories for the pathogenesis of cardiorenal metabolic anomalies including resistance to the metabolic action of insulin, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, oxidative and nitrosative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial damage, and inflammation. Accumulating evidence has recently suggested a pivotal role for proteotoxicity, the unfavorable effects of poor protein quality control, in the pathophysiology of metabolic dysregulation and related cardiovascular complications. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy-lysosomal pathways, two major although distinct cellular clearance machineries, govern protein quality control by degradation and clearance of long-lived or damaged proteins and organelles. Ample evidence has depicted an important role for protein quality control, particularly autophagy, in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. To this end, autophagy offers promising targets for novel strategies to prevent and treat cardiorenal metabolic diseases. Targeting autophagy using pharmacological or natural agents exhibits exciting new strategies for the growing problem of cardiorenal metabolic disorders.

Maternal low-quality protein diet exerts sex-specific effects on plasma amino acid profile and alters hepatic expression of methyltransferases in adult rat offspring

Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is a critical factor in the development of the offspring. Both protein content and source in maternal diet affect neonatal health, but the long-term effects of maternal low-quality protein diet on the offspring are less clear. This study aimed to examine the effects of maternal low-quality protein diet on offspring's growth, development, circulating metabolites and hepatic expression of methyltransferases. Virgin Wistar rats were mated at 11 weeks of age. Dams were then maintained on either a chow diet with 20% casein as the control group (C), or a low-quality protein diet with 20% wheat gluten as the experimental group (WG) throughout gestation and lactation. After weaning, all offspring were fed a control chow diet until the age of 20 weeks. Male WG offspring had significantly lower body weight and energy intake, whereas female WG offspring had significantly higher body weight and energy intake when compared with controls. Early life exposure to WG diet had no significant effect on circulating metabolites. However, fasting insulin concentrations and homoeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance were decreased in WG male and female offspring. Maternal low-quality protein diet increased plasma aspartic acid, glutamic acid, histidine, cystathione and decreased lysine in male WG offspring. Conversely, the same amino acids were reduced in female WG offspring. Adult offspring exposed to WG diet had significantly upregulated hepatic DNMT3a and DNMT3b expressions. Our study showed that there were differential effects of maternal poor-quality protein diet upon adult offspring's metabolism.

Low omega-6/omega-3 ratio in a maternal protein-deficient diet promotes histone-3 changes in progeny neural cells and favors leukemia inhibitory factor genetranscription

Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids modulate epigenetic changes critical to genesis and differentiation of neural cells. Conversely, maternal protein-malnutrition can negatively modify these changes. This study investigated whether a low n-6/n-3 ratio in a maternal diet could favor histone-3 (H3) modifications, gene transcription and differentiation in the offspring neural cells even under protein-deficiency. Female rats fed a control (Ct), or 3 types of multideficient diets differing in protein levels or linoleic/alpha-linolenic fatty acid ratios (RBD, RBD-C, RBD-SO) from 30 days prior to mating and during pregnancy. Cerebral cortex tissue and cortical cultures of progeny embryonic neurons and postnatal astrocytes were analyzed. H3K9 acetylation and H3K27 or H3K4 di-methylation levels were assessed by flow cytometry and/or immunocytochemistry. In astrocyte cultures and cortical tissue, the GFAP protein levels were assessed. Glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) gene expression were evaluated in the cortical tissue. GFAP levels were similar in astrocytes of Ct, RBD and RBD-C, but 65% lower in RBD-SO group. Higher levels of H3K9Ac were found in the neurons and H3K4Me2 in the astrocytes of the RBD group. No intergroup difference in the cortical GDNF mRNA expression or the H3K27Me2 levels in astrocytes was detected. LIF mRNA levels were higher in the RDB (P=.002) or RBD-C (P=.004) groups than in the control. The findings indicate the importance of dietary n-3 availability for the brain, even under a protein-deficient condition, inducing Histone modifications and increasing LIF gene transcription, involved in neural cell differentiation and reactivity.

Integrative analysis of methylomic and transcriptomic data in fetal sheep muscle tissues in response to maternal diet during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have established a link between maternal diet and the physiological and metabolic phenotypes of their offspring. In previous studies in sheep, we demonstrated that different maternal diets altered the transcriptome of fetal tissues. However, the mechanisms underlying transcriptomic changes are poorly understood. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark regulating transcription and is largely influenced by dietary components of the one-carbon cycle that generate the methyl group donor, SAM. Therefore, in the present study, we tested whether different maternal diets during pregnancy would alter the DNA methylation and gene expression patterns in fetal tissues.

RESULTS

Pregnant ewes were randomly divided into two groups which received either hay or corn diet from mid-gestation (day 67 ± 5) until day 131 ± 1 when fetuses were collected by necropsy. A total of 1516 fetal longissimus dorsi (LD) tissues were used for DNA methylation analysis and gene expression profiling. Whole genome DNA methylation using methyl-binding domain enrichment analysis revealed 60 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between hay and corn fetuses with 39 DMRs more highly methylated in the hay fetuses vs. 21 DMRs more highly methylated in the corn fetuses. Three DMRs (LPAR3, PLIN5-PLIN4, and the differential methylation of a novel lincRNA) were validated using bisulfite sequencing. These DMRs were associated with differential gene expression. Additionally, significant DNA methylation differences were found at the single CpG level. Integrative methylome and transcriptome analysis revealed an association between gene expression and inter-/intragenic methylated regions. Furthermore, intragenic DMRs were found to be associated with expression of neighboring genes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study imply that maternal diet from mid- to late-gestation can shape the epigenome and the transcriptome of fetal tissues, and putatively affect phenotypes of the lambs.

Potential Impact of Metabolic and Gut Microbial Response to Pregnancy and Lactation in Lean and Diet-Induced Obese Rats on Offspring Obesity Risk

SCOPE

Maternal obesity programs metabolic dysfunction in offspring, increasing their susceptibility to obesity and metabolic diseases in later life. Moreover, pregnancy and lactation are associated with many metabolic adaptations, yet it is unclear how diet-induced maternal obesity may interrupt these processes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

¹ H NMR serum metabolomics analysis was performed on samples collected pre-pregnancy and in pregnant and lactating lean and high fat/sucrose (HFS) diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats to identify maternal metabolic pathways associated with developmental programming of offspring obesity. Gut microbial composition was assessed using qPCR. Offspring of HFS dams had nearly 40% higher adiposity at weaning compared to offspring of lean dams. While pregnancy and lactation were associated with distinct maternal metabolic changes common to both lean and obese dams, we identified several metabolic differences, potentially implicating dysregulated one-carbon and mammary gland metabolism in the metabolic programming of obesity. Gut microbial composition was significantly altered with obesity, and both gestation and lactation were accompanied by changes in gut microbiota.

CONCLUSION

Diet-induced maternal obesity and consumption of an obesogenic maternal diet results in differential metabolic and gut microbial adaptations to pregnancy and lactation; these maladaptations may be directly involved in maternal programming of offspring susceptibility to obesity.

PHYSIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY SYMPOSIUM:The effects of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on offspring postnatal growth and metabolism

Poor maternal nutrition during gestation has been linked to poor growth and development, metabolic dysfunction, impaired health, and reduced productivity of offspring in many species. Poor maternal nutrition can be defined as an excess or restriction of overall nutrients or specific macro- or micronutrients in the diet of the mother during gestation. Interestingly, there are several reports that both restricted- and over-feeding during gestation negatively affect offspring postnatal growth with reduced muscle and bone deposition, increased adipose accumulation, and metabolic dysregulation through reduced leptin and insulin sensitivity. Our laboratory and others have used experimental models of restricted- and over-feeding during gestation to evaluate effects on early postnatal growth of offspring. Restricted- and over-feeding during gestation alters body size, circulating growth factors, and metabolic hormones in offspring postnatally. Both restricted- and over-feeding alter muscle growth, increase lipid content in the muscle, and cause changes in expression of myogenic factors. Although the negative effects of poor maternal nutrition on offspring growth have been well characterized in recent years, the mechanisms contributing to these changes are not well established. Our laboratory has focused on elucidating these mechanisms by evaluating changes in gene and protein expression, and stem cell function. Through RNA-Seq analysis, we observed changes in expression of genes involved in protein synthesis, metabolism, cell function, and signal transduction in muscle tissue. We recently reported that satellite cells, muscle stem cells, have altered expression of myogenic factors in offspring from restricted-fed mothers. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells, multipotent cells that contribute to development and maintenance of several tissues including bone, muscle, and adipose, have a 50% reduction in cell proliferation and altered metabolism in offspring from both restricted- and over-fed mothers. These findings indicate that poor maternal nutrition may alter offspring postnatal growth by programming stem cell populations. In conclusion, poor maternal nutrition during gestation negatively affects offspring postnatal growth, potentially through impaired stem and satellite cell function. Therefore, determining the mechanisms that contribute to fetal programming is critical to identifying effective management interventions for these offspring and improving efficiency of production.

Role of methionine on epigenetic modification of DNA methylation and gene expression in animals

DNA methylation is one of the main epigenetic phenomena affecting gene expression. It is an important mechanism for the development of embryo, growth and health of animals. As a key nutritional factor limiting the synthesis of protein, methionine serves as the precursor of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) in the hepatic one-carbon metabolism. The dietary fluctuation of methionine content can alter the levels of metabolic substrates in one-carbon metabolism, e.g., the SAM, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and change the expression of genes related to the growth and health of animals by DNA methylation reactions. The ratio of SAM to SAH is called ‘methylation index’ but it should be carefully explained because the complexity of methylation reaction. Alterations of methylation in a specific cytosine-guanine (CpG) site, rather than the whole promoter region, might be enough to change gene expression. Aberrant methionine cycle may provoke molecular changes of one-carbon metabolism that results in deregulation of cellular hemostasis and health problems. The importance of DNA methylation has been underscored but the mechanisms of methionine affecting DNA methylation are poorly understood. Nutritional epigenomics provides a promising insight into the targeting epigenetic changes in animals from a nutritional standpoint, which will deepen and expand our understanding of genes, molecules, tissues, and animals in which methionine alteration influences DNA methylation and gene expression.

Fetal and neonatal programming of postnatal growth and feed efficiency in swine

Maternal undernutrition or overnutrition during pregnancy alters organ structure, impairs prenatal and neonatal growth and development, and reduces feed efficiency for lean tissue gains in pigs. These adverse effects may be carried over to the next generation or beyond. This phenomenon of the transgenerational impacts is known as fetal programming, which is mediated by stable and heritable alterations of gene expression through covalent modifications of DNA and histones without changes in DNA sequences (namely, epigenetics). The mechanisms responsible for the epigenetic regulation of protein expression and functions include chromatin remodeling; DNA methylation (occurring at the 5´-position of cytosine residues within CpG dinucleotides); and histone modifications (acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination). Like maternal malnutrition, undernutrition during the neonatal period also reduces growth performance and feed efficiency (weight gain:feed intake; also known as weight-gain efficiency) in postweaning pigs by 5-10%, thereby increasing the days necessary to reach the market body-weight. Supplementing functional amino acids (e.g., arginine and glutamine) and vitamins (e.g., folate) play a key role in activating the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling and regulating the provision of methyl donors for DNA and protein methylation. Therefore, these nutrients are beneficial for the dietary treatment of metabolic disorders in offspring with intrauterine growth restriction or neonatal malnutrition. The mechanism-based strategies hold great promise for the improvement of the efficiency of pork production and the sustainability of the global swine industry.

Developmental Programming, a Pathway to Disease

Accumulating evidence suggests that insults occurring during the perinatal period alter the developmental trajectory of the fetus/offspring leading to long-term detrimental outcomes that often culminate in adult pathologies. These perinatal insults include maternal/fetal disease states, nutritional deficits/excess, stress, lifestyle choices, exposure to environmental chemicals, and medical interventions. In addition to reviewing the various insults that contribute to developmental programming and the benefits of animal models in addressing underlying mechanisms, this review focuses on the commonalities in disease outcomes stemming from various insults, the convergence of mechanistic pathways via which various insults can lead to common outcomes, and identifies the knowledge gaps in the field and future directions.

Epigenetics and obesity cardiomyopathy: From pathophysiology to prevention and management

Uncorrected obesity has been associated with cardiac hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction. Several mechanisms for this cardiomyopathy have been identified, including oxidative stress, autophagy, adrenergic and renin-angiotensin aldosterone overflow. Another process that may regulate effects of obesity is epigenetics, which refers to the heritable alterations in gene expression or cellular phenotype that are not encoded on the DNA sequence. Advances in epigenome profiling have greatly improved the understanding of the epigenome in obesity, where environmental exposures during early life result in an increased health risk later on in life. Several mechanisms, including histone modification, DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs, have been reported in obesity and can cause transcriptional suppression or activation, depending on the location within the gene, contributing to obesity-induced complications. Through epigenetic modifications, the fetus may be prone to detrimental insults, leading to cardiac sequelae later in life. Important links between epigenetics and obesity include nutrition, exercise, adiposity, inflammation, insulin sensitivity and hepatic steatosis. Genome-wide studies have identified altered DNA methylation patterns in pancreatic islets, skeletal muscle and adipose tissues from obese subjects compared with non-obese controls. In addition, aging and intrauterine environment are associated with differential DNA methylation. Given the intense research on the molecular mechanisms of the etiology of obesity and its complications, this review will provide insights into the current understanding of epigenetics and pharmacological and non-pharmacological (such as exercise) interventions targeting epigenetics as they relate to treatment of obesity and its complications. Particular focus will be on DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs.

Reprogramming: A Preventive Strategy in Hypertension Focusing on the Kidney

Adulthood hypertension can be programmed in response to a suboptimal environment in early life. However, developmental plasticity also implies that one can prevent hypertension in adult life by administrating appropriate compounds during early development. We have termed this reprogramming. While the risk of hypertension has been assessed in many mother-child cohorts of human developmental programming, interventions necessary to prove causation and provide a reprogramming strategy are lacking. Since the developing kidney is particularly vulnerable to environmental insults and blood pressure is determined by kidney function, renal programming is considered key in developmental programming of hypertension. Common pathways, whereby both genetic and acquired developmental programming converge into the same phenotype, have been recognized. For instance, the same reprogramming interventions aimed at shifting nitric oxide (NO)-reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance, such as perinatal citrulline or melatonin supplements, can be protective in both genetic and developmentally programmed hypertension. Furthermore, a significantly increased expression of gene Ephx2 (soluble epoxide hydrolase) was noted in both genetic and acquired animal models of hypertension. Since a suboptimal environment is often multifactorial, such common reprogramming pathways are a practical finding for translation to the clinic. This review provides an overview of potential clinical applications of reprogramming strategies to prevent programmed hypertension. We emphasize the kidney in the following areas: mechanistic insights from human studies and animal models to interpret programmed hypertension; identified risk factors of human programmed hypertension from mother-child cohorts; and the impact of reprogramming strategies on programmed hypertension from animal models. It is critical that the observed effects on developmental reprogramming in animal models are replicated in human studies.