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Liu K, Chen Z, Hu W, He B, Xu D, Guo Y, Wang H. Intrauterine developmental origin, programming mechanism, and prevention strategy of fetal-originated hypercholesterolemia. Obes Rev 2024; 25:e13672. [PMID: 38069529 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that hypercholesterolemia has an intrauterine developmental origin. However, the pathogenesis of fetal-originated is still lacking in a theoretical system, which makes its clinical early prevention and treatment difficult. It has been found that an adverse environment during pregnancy (e.g., xenobiotic exposure) may lead to changes in fetal blood cholesterol levels through changing maternal cholesterol metabolic function and/or placental cholesterol transport function and may also directly affect the liver cholesterol metabolic function of the offspring in utero and continue after birth. Adverse environmental conditions during pregnancy may also raise maternal glucocorticoid levels and promote the placental glucocorticoid barrier opening, leading to fetal overexposure to maternal glucocorticoids. Intrauterine high-glucocorticoid exposure can alter the liver cholesterol metabolism of offspring, resulting in an increased susceptibility to hypercholesterolemia after birth. Abnormal epigenetic modifications are involved in the intrauterine programming mechanism of fetal-originated hypercholesterolemia. Some interventions targeted at pregnant mothers or offspring in early life have been proposed to effectively prevent and treat the development of fetal-originated hypercholesterolemia. In this paper, the recent research progress on fetal-originated hypercholesterolemia was reviewed, with emphasis on intrauterine maternal glucocorticoid programming mechanisms, in order to provide a theoretical basis for its early clinical warning, prevention, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ze Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo He
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
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2
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Lu X, Chen B, Xu D, Hu W, Wang X, Dai Y, Wang Q, Peng Y, Chen K, Zhao D, Wang H. Epigenetic programming mediates abnormal gut microbiota and disease susceptibility in offspring with prenatal dexamethasone exposure. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101398. [PMID: 38301654 PMCID: PMC10897547 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) can lead to increased susceptibility to various diseases in adult offspring, but its effect on gut microbiota composition and the relationship with disease susceptibility remains unclear. In this study, we find sex-differential changes in the gut microbiota of 6-month-old infants with prenatal dexamethasone therapy (PDT) that persisted in female infants up to 2.5 years of age with altered bile acid metabolism. PDE female offspring rats show abnormal colonization and composition of gut microbiota and increased susceptibility to cholestatic liver injury. The aberrant gut microbiota colonization in the PDE offspring can be attributed to the inhibited Muc2 expression caused by decreased CDX2 expression before and after birth. Integrating animal and cell experiments, we further confirm that dexamethasone could inhibit Muc2 expression by activating GR/HDAC11 signaling and regulating CDX2 epigenetic modification. This study interprets abnormal gut microbiota and disease susceptibility in PDT offspring from intrauterine intestinal dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Beidi Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wen Hu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Digital Health, and Data Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yongguo Dai
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Kaiqi Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dongchi Zhao
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Pediatrics, Children's Digital Health, and Data Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, Wuhan 430071, China.
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3
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Xiao H, He B, Liu H, Chen Y, Xiao D, Wang H. Dexamethasone exposure during pregnancy triggers metabolic syndrome in offspring via epigenetic alteration of IGF1. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:62. [PMID: 38263047 PMCID: PMC10807214 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01472-6] [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: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has reported that prenatal exposure to dexamethasone (PDE) results in organ dysplasia and increased disease susceptibility in offspring. This study aimed to investigate the epigenetic mechanism of metabolic syndrome induced by PDE in offspring. METHODS Pregnant Wistar rats were administered dexamethasone, and their offspring's serum and liver tissues were analyzed. The hepatocyte differentiation model was established to unveil the molecular mechanism. Neonatal cord blood samples were collected to validate the phenomenon and mechanism. RESULTS The findings demonstrated that PDE leads to insulin resistance and typical metabolic syndrome traits in adult offspring rats, which originated from fetal liver dysplasia. Additionally, PDE reduced serum corticosterone level and inhibited hepatic insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling in fetal rats. It further revealed that liver dysplasia and functional impairment induced by PDE persist after birth, driven by the continuous downregulation of serum corticosterone and hepatic IGF1 signaling. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that low endogenous corticosterone reduces the histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K27ac) level of IGF1 and its expression by blocking glucocorticoid receptor α, special protein 1, and P300 into the nucleus, resulting in hepatocyte differentiation inhibition and liver dysplasia. Intriguingly, neonatal cord blood samples validated the link between reduced liver function in neonates induced by PDE and decreased serum cortisol and IGF1 levels. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that low endogenous glucocorticoid level under PDE lead to liver dysplasia by downregulating the H3K27ac level of IGF1 and its expression, ultimately contributing to metabolic syndrome in adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Division of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Bo He
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products/College of Modern Biomedical Industry, NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Heze Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Di Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Briceño-Pérez C, Briceño-Sanabria L, Briceño-Sanabria C, Reyna-Villasmil E. Early life corticosteroid overexposure: Epigenetic and fetal origins of adult diseases. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 164:40-46. [PMID: 37318113 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between events occurring during intrauterine development and later-life predisposition to long-term disease, has been described. The fetus responds to excess intrauterine exposure to high levels of corticosteroids, modifying their physiological development and stopping their growth. Fetal exposure to elevated levels of either endogenous (alterations in fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) or synthetic corticosteroids, is one model of early-life adversity; to developing adult disease. At the molecular level, there are transcriptional changes in metabolic and growth pathways. Epigenetic mechanisms participate in transgenerational inheritance, not genomic. Exposures that change 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme methylation status in the placenta can result in transcriptional repression of the gene, causing the fetus to be exposed to higher levels of cortisol. More precise diagnosis and management of antenatal corticosteroids for preterm birth, would potentially decrease the risk of long-term adverse outcomes. More studies are needed to understand the potential roles of factors to alter fetal corticosteroid exposure. Long-term infant follow-up is required to determine whether methylation changes in placenta may represent useful biomarkers of later disease risk. This review, summarize recent advances in the programming of fetal effects of corticosteroid exposure, the role of corticosteroids in epigenetic gene regulation of placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme expression and transgenerational effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Briceño-Pérez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela
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Chen Z, Xia LP, Shen L, Xu D, Guo Y, Wang H. Glucocorticoids and intrauterine programming of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabolism 2024; 150:155713. [PMID: 37914025 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating epidemiological and experimental evidence indicates that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has an intrauterine origin. Fetuses exposed to adverse prenatal environments (e.g., maternal malnutrition and xenobiotic exposure) are more susceptible to developing NAFLD after birth. Glucocorticoids are crucial triggers of the developmental programming of fetal-origin diseases. Adverse intrauterine environments often lead to fetal overexposure to maternally derived glucocorticoids, which can program fetal hepatic lipid metabolism through epigenetic modifications. Adverse intrauterine environments program the offspring's glucocorticoid-insulin-like growth factor 1 (GC-IGF1) axis, which contributes to postnatal catch-up growth and disturbs glucose and lipid metabolism. These glucocorticoid-driven programming alterations increase susceptibility to NAFLD in the offspring. Notably, after delivery, offspring often face an environment distinct from their in utero life. The mismatch between the intrauterine and postnatal environments can serve as a postnatal hit that further disturbs the programmed endocrine axes, accelerating the onset of NAFLD. In this review, we summarize the current epidemiological and experimental evidence demonstrating that NAFLD has an intrauterine origin and discuss the underlying intrauterine programming mechanisms, focusing on the role of overexposure to maternally derived glucocorticoids. We also briefly discuss potential early life interventions that may be beneficial against fetal-originated NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Li-Ping Xia
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Lang Shen
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Pharmacy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Volqvartz T, Andersen HHB, Pedersen LH, Larsen A. Obesity in pregnancy-Long-term effects on offspring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and associations with placental cortisol metabolism: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:4393-4422. [PMID: 37974556 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16184] [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: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Obesity, affecting one in three pregnant women worldwide, is not only a major obstetric risk factor. The resulting low-grade inflammation may have a long-term impact on the offspring's HPA axis through dysregulation of maternal, placental and fetal corticosteroid metabolism, and children born of obese mothers have increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The long-term effects of maternal obesity on offspring neurodevelopment are, however, undetermined and could depend on the specific effects on placental and fetal cortisol metabolism. This systematic review evaluates how maternal obesity affects placental cortisol metabolism and the offspring's HPA axis. Pubmed, Embase and Scopus were searched for original studies on maternal BMI, obesity, and cortisol metabolism and transfer. Fifteen studies were included after the screening of 4556 identified records. Studies were small with heterogeneous exposures and outcomes. Two studies found that maternal obesity reduced placental HSD11β2 activity. In one study, umbilical cord blood cortisol levels were affected by maternal BMI. In three studies, an altered cortisol response was consistently seen among offspring in childhood (n = 2) or adulthood (n = 1). Maternal BMI was not associated with placental HSD11β1 or HSD11β2 mRNA expression, or placental HSD11β2 methylation. In conclusion, high maternal BMI is associated with reduced placental HSD11β2 activity and a dampened cortisol level among offspring, but the data is sparse. Further investigations are needed to clarify whether the HPA axis is affected by prenatal factors including maternal obesity and investigate if adverse effects can be ameliorated by optimising the intrauterine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabia Volqvartz
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Lars Henning Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Agnete Larsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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7
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Liu L, Wen Y, Ni Q, Chen L, Wang H. Prenatal ethanol exposure and changes in fetal neuroendocrine metabolic programming. Biol Res 2023; 56:61. [PMID: 37978540 PMCID: PMC10656939 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00473-y] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) (mainly through maternal alcohol consumption) has become widespread. However, studies suggest that it can cause intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and multi-organ developmental toxicity in offspring, and susceptibility to various chronic diseases (such as neuropsychiatric diseases, metabolic syndrome, and related diseases) in adults. Through ethanol's direct effects and its indirect effects mediated by maternal-derived glucocorticoids, PEE alters epigenetic modifications and organ developmental programming during fetal development, which damages the offspring health and increases susceptibility to various chronic diseases after birth. Ethanol directly leads to the developmental toxicity of multiple tissues and organs in many ways. Regarding maternal-derived glucocorticoid-mediated IUGR, developmental programming, and susceptibility to multiple conditions after birth, ethanol induces programmed changes in the neuroendocrine axes of offspring, such as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and glucocorticoid-insulin-like growth factor 1 (GC-IGF1) axes. In addition, the differences in ethanol metabolic enzymes, placental glucocorticoid barrier function, and the sensitivity to glucocorticoids in various tissues and organs mediate the severity and sex differences in the developmental toxicity of ethanol exposure during pregnancy. Offspring exposed to ethanol during pregnancy have a "thrifty phenotype" in the fetal period, and show "catch-up growth" in the case of abundant nutrition after birth; when encountering adverse environments, these offspring are more likely to develop diseases. Here, we review the developmental toxicity, functional alterations in multiple organs, and neuroendocrine metabolic programming mechanisms induced by PEE based on our research and that of other investigators. This should provide new perspectives for the effective prevention and treatment of ethanol developmental toxicity and the early prevention of related fetal-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yinxian Wen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qubo Ni
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Long J, Huang Y, Wang G, Tang Z, Shan Y, Shen S, Ni X. Mitochondrial ROS Accumulation Contributes to Maternal Hypertension and Impaired Remodeling of Spiral Artery but Not IUGR in a Rat PE Model Caused by Maternal Glucocorticoid Exposure. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12050987. [PMID: 37237853 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12050987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased maternal glucocorticoid levels have been implicated as a risk factor for preeclampsia (PE) development. We found that pregnant rats exposed to dexamethasone (DEX) showed hallmarks of PE features, impaired spiral artery (SA) remodeling, and elevated circulatory levels of sFlt1, sEng IL-1β, and TNFα. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial dysfunction in placentas occurred in DEX rats. Omics showed that a large spectrum of placental signaling pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), energy metabolism, inflammation, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system were affected in DEX rats. MitoTEMPO, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, alleviated maternal hypertension and renal damage, and improved SA remodeling, uteroplacental blood flow, and the placental vasculature network. It reversed several pathways, including OXPHOS and glutathione pathways. Moreover, DEX-induced impaired functions of human extravillous trophoblasts were associated with excess ROS caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. However, scavenging excess ROS did not improve intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and elevated circulatory sFlt1, sEng, IL-1β, and TNFα levels in DEX rats. Our data indicate that excess mitochondrial ROS contributes to trophoblast dysfunction, impaired SA remodeling, reduced uteroplacental blood flow, and maternal hypertension in the DEX-induced PE model, while increased sFlt1 and sEng levels and IUGR might be associated with inflammation and an impaired energy metabolism and IGF system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Long
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou 510010, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Physiology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhengshan Tang
- National International Joint Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yali Shan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Shiping Shen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Xin Ni
- National International Joint Research Center for Medical Metabolomics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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Liu MY, Wei LL, Zhu XH, Ding HC, Liu XH, Li H, Li YY, Han Z, Li LD, Du ZW, Zhou YP, Zhang J, Meng F, Tang YL, Liu X, Wang C, Zhou QG. Prenatal stress modulates HPA axis homeostasis of offspring through dentate TERT independently of glucocorticoids receptor. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1383-1395. [PMID: 36481932 PMCID: PMC10005958 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In response to stressful events, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, and consequently glucocorticoids are released by the adrenal gland into the blood circulation. A large body of research has illustrated that excessive glucocorticoids in the hippocampus exerts negative feedback regulation of the HPA axis through glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is critical for the homeostasis of the HPA axis. Maternal prenatal stress causes dysfunction of the HPA axis feedback mechanism in their offspring in adulthood. Here we report that telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene knockout causes hyperactivity of the HPA axis without hippocampal GR deficiency. We found that the level of TERT in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus during the developmental stage determines the responses of the HPA axis to stressful events in adulthood through modulating the excitability of the dentate granular cells (DGCs) rather than the expression of GR. Our study also suggests that the prenatal high level of glucocorticoids exposure-induced hypomethylation at Chr13:73764526 in the first exon of mouse Tert gene accounted for TERT deficiency in the DG and HPA axis abnormality in the adult offspring. This study reveals a novel GR-independent mechanism underlying prenatal stress-associated HPA axis impairment, providing a new angle for understanding the mechanisms for maintaining HPA axis homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu-Lu Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xian-Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hua-Chen Ding
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang-Hu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huan Li
- School of Applied Science, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore, Singapore.,College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhou Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Lian-Di Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zi-Wei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ya-Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fan Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Lin Tang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Chun Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Qi-Gang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Department of Psychiatry, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,The Key Center of Gene Technology Drugs of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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10
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Duffy KA, Sammel MD, Johnson RL, Kim DR, Wang EY, Ewing G, Hantsoo L, Kornfield SL, Bale TL, Epperson CN. Maternal adverse childhood experiences impact fetal adrenal volume in a sex-specific manner. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:7. [PMID: 36803442 PMCID: PMC9936707 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00492-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms by which parental early life stress can be transmitted to the next generation, in some cases in a sex-specific manner, are unclear. Maternal preconception stress may increase susceptibility to suboptimal health outcomes via in utero programming of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. METHODS We recruited healthy pregnant women (N = 147), dichotomized into low (0 or 1) and high (2+) adverse childhood experience (ACE) groups based on the ACE Questionnaire, to test the hypothesis that maternal ACE history influences fetal adrenal development in a sex-specific manner. At a mean (standard deviation) of 21.5 (1.4) and 29.5 (1.4) weeks gestation, participants underwent three-dimensional ultrasounds to measure fetal adrenal volume, adjusting for fetal body weight (waFAV). RESULTS At ultrasound 1, waFAV was smaller in high versus low ACE males (b = - 0.17; z = - 3.75; p < .001), but females did not differ significantly by maternal ACE group (b = 0.09; z = 1.72; p = .086). Compared to low ACE males, waFAV was smaller for low (b = - 0.20; z = - 4.10; p < .001) and high ACE females (b = - 0.11; z = 2.16; p = .031); however, high ACE males did not differ from low (b = 0.03; z = .57; p = .570) or high ACE females (b = - 0.06; z = - 1.29; p = .196). At ultrasound 2, waFAV did not differ significantly between any maternal ACE/offspring sex subgroups (ps ≥ .055). Perceived stress did not differ between maternal ACE groups at baseline, ultrasound 1, or ultrasound 2 (ps ≥ .148). CONCLUSIONS We observed a significant impact of high maternal ACE history on waFAV, a proxy for fetal adrenal development, but only in males. Our observation that the waFAV in males of mothers with a high ACE history did not differ from the waFAV of females extends preclinical research demonstrating a dysmasculinizing effect of gestational stress on a range of offspring outcomes. Future studies investigating intergenerational transmission of stress should consider the influence of maternal preconception stress on offspring outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korrina A. Duffy
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA ,grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus, 1890 N. Revere Court, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Mary D. Sammel
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA ,grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Rachel L. Johnson
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado School of Public Health – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Deborah R. Kim
- grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Eileen Y. Wang
- grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Grace Ewing
- grid.266826.e0000 0000 9216 5478University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, ME USA
| | - Liisa Hantsoo
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sara L. Kornfield
- grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Tracy L. Bale
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - C. Neill Epperson
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA ,grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
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11
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Figueiredo TM, de Barros JWF, Dos Santos Borges C, Pacheco TL, de Lima Rosa J, Anselmo-Franci JA, Kempinas WDG. Reproductive outcomes of neonatal exposure to betamethasone in male and female rats. J Appl Toxicol 2022; 43:752-763. [PMID: 36511433 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Betamethasone (BM) is the drug of choice for antenatal corticosteroid therapy for women at risk of preterm delivery because it induces fetal lung maturation and enhances survival after birth. However, our group reported evidence of fetal programming and impaired reproductive development and function in rats exposed during the critical window of genital system development. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of BM on the sexual development of rats in the period that corresponds to antenatal corticosteroid therapy in humans. Male and female rats were exposed subcutaneously to BM at 0.1 μg/g of pups' body weight or to a NaCl 0.9% solution (control) on postnatal days 1-3. It was observed that neonatal exposure to BM decreased body weight and weight gain in male and female rats during treatment. The estrous cycle was deregulated and LH level was decreased in female rats. In male rats, the sperm concentration in the caput-corpus of the epididymis was decreased, whereas the sperm transit time and sperm concentration in the cauda of the epididymis were increased. Our results demonstrated that neonatal exposure to BM impaired body growth of male and female rats, deregulated the estrous cycle of female rats, and altered sperm quality of male rats. Therefore, BM exposure from postnatal days 1 to 3 corroborated results previously observed after prenatal exposure to this drug. Despite the recognized importance of human antenatal corticosteroid therapy, the findings of this study should encourage further studies in order to minimize possible adverse postnatal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamiris Moreira Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Jorge Willian Franco de Barros
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Cibele Dos Santos Borges
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Tainá Louise Pacheco
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Josiane de Lima Rosa
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Janete Aparecida Anselmo-Franci
- Department of Morphology, Stomatology and Physiology, Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Wilma De Grava Kempinas
- Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology and Toxicology, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
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12
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Fu Y, Liu H, He L, Ma S, Chen X, Wang K, Zhao F, Qi F, Guan S, Liu Z. Prenatal chronic stress impairs the learning and memory ability via inhibition of the NO/cGMP/PKG pathway in the Hippocampus of offspring. Behav Brain Res 2022; 433:114009. [PMID: 35850398 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Numerous clinical and animal studies have found that antenatal chronic stress can lead to pathological changes the hippocampal development from embryos to adult, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Proteomic analyses provide a new insight to explore the potential mechanisms of this impairment. In this study, gestating rats were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) during pregnant days using nine different stimulations, and the changes of the learning and memory performance and the expression of proteins in the hippocampus of offspring were measured. It was found that prenatal chronic stress led to growth retardation, impaired spatial learning and memory ability in the offspring. Furthermore, prenatal stress caused various degrees of damage to neurons, Nissl body, mitochondria and synaptic structures in hippocampal CA3 region of offspring. In addition, 26 significantly different expressed proteins (DEPs) were found between the two groups by using isoquantitative tag-based relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) proteomics analysis. Further analyses of these DEPs showed that involved with different molecular functions and several biological processes, such as biological regulation and metabolic processes. Among these, the KEGG pathway enrichment showed that learning and memory impairment was mainly associated with the cyclic guanosine monophosphate protein kinase G (cGMP-PKG) pathway. At the same time, compared with OPC group, the NO, nNOS and cGMP level were significantly decreased, and the expression of PKG protein was also dropped. All of these results suggested that pregnant rats exposed to chronic psychological stress might impair spatial learning and memory ability of offspring, by disturbing the NO/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjuan Fu
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Hongya Liu
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Ling He
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No. 804, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Shuqin Ma
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, No. 804, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Kai Wang
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Faqiu Qi
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Suzhen Guan
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China.
| | - Zhihong Liu
- School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Factors and Chronic Disease Control, No. 1160, Shengli Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China.
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13
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Development of a sensitive and rapid fluorescence polarization immunoassay for high throughput screening eight glucocorticoids in beef. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 214:114719. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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14
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Guo Y, Gui D, Zhang X, Liu W, Xie Q, Yu X, Wu Y. Blubber Cortisol-Based Approach to Explore the Endocrine Responses of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins ( Sousa chinensis) to Diet Shifts and Contaminant Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1069-1080. [PMID: 34965107 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The detrimental effects of contaminant exposure and changes in the availability of food resources are still of concern for Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE). Here, we validated and applied a blubber cortisol biomarker approach to assess the physiological responses of PRE dolphins to various pollutants and diet changes during 2008-2018 (n = 70). For calves, generalized additive models (GAMs) revealed that cortisol levels varied significantly by month and were positively correlated with the body length, owing to significant maternal transfer of hormones. The significantly positive correlation between length-adjusted cortisol levels in calf and the annual calf mortality ratios suggested that during years of high calf mortality, these animals were highly stressed before they die. For noncalves, blubber cortisol levels in diseased animals were significantly higher than those in "healthy" ones. Chromium (Cr) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes displayed a significant and positive relationship with blubber cortisol levels, suggesting that contaminant-mediated endocrine disruption effects may have occurred in noncalves. The GAMs indicated a decreasing trend of noncalf's blubber cortisol levels over an 11-year span, which can be explained by their declining contaminant accumulation levels due to a significant dietary shift from eating highly contaminated fishes to less polluted ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongwei Guo
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Duan Gui
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Xiyang Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Wen Liu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Xinjian Yu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
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15
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Ge C, Xu D, Yu P, Fang M, Guo J, Xu D, Qiao Y, Chen S, Zhang Y, Wang H. P-gp expression inhibition mediates placental glucocorticoid barrier opening and fetal weight loss. BMC Med 2021; 19:311. [PMID: 34876109 PMCID: PMC8653610 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-02173-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal adverse environments can cause fetal intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and higher susceptibility to multiple diseases after birth, related to multi-organ development programming changes mediated by intrauterine overexposure to maternal glucocorticoids. As a glucocorticoid barrier, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is highly expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblasts; however, the effect of P-gp on the occurrence of IUGR remains unclear. METHODS Human placenta and fetal cord blood samples of IUGR fetuses were collected, and the related indexes were detected. Pregnant Wistar rats were administered with 30 mg/kg·d (low dose) and 120 mg/kg·d (high dose) caffeine from gestational day (GD) 9 to 20 to construct the rat IUGR model. Pregnant mice were administered with caffeine (120 mg/kg·d) separately or combined with sodium ferulate (50 mg/kg·d) from gestational day GD 9 to 18 to confirm the intervention target on fetal weight loss caused by prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE). The fetal serum/placental corticosterone level, placental P-gp expression, and related indicator changes were analyzed. In vitro, primary human trophoblasts and BeWo cells were used to confirm the effect of caffeine on P-gp and its mechanism. RESULTS The placental P-gp expression was significantly reduced, but the umbilical cord blood cortisol level was increased in clinical samples of the IUGR neonates, which were positively and negatively correlated with the neonatal birth weight, respectively. Meanwhile, in the PCE-induced IUGR rat model, the placental P-gp expression of IUGR rats was decreased while the corticosterone levels of the placentas/fetal blood were increased, which were positively and negatively correlated with the decreased placental/fetal weights, respectively. Combined with the PCE-induced IUGR rat model, in vitro caffeine-treated placental trophoblasts, we confirmed that caffeine decreased the histone acetylation and expression of P-gp via RYR/JNK/YB-1/P300 pathway, which inhibited placental and fetal development. We further demonstrated that P-gp inducer sodium ferulate could reverse the inhibitory effect of caffeine on the fetal body/placental weight. Finally, clinical specimens and other animal models of IUGR also confirmed that the JNK/YB-1 pathway is a co-regulatory mechanism of P-gp expression inhibition, among which the expression of YB-1 is the most stable. Therefore, we proposed that YB-1 could be used as the potential early warning target for the opening of the placental glucocorticoid barrier, the occurrence of IUGR, and the susceptibility of a variety of diseases. CONCLUSIONS This study, for the first time, clarified the critical role and epigenetic regulation mechanism of P-gp in mediating the opening mechanism of the placental glucocorticoid barrier, providing a novel idea for exploring the early warning, prevention, and treatment strategies of IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyun Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Pengxia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Man Fang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Juanjuan Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yuan Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yuanzhen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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16
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Yu P, Chen Y, Ge C, Wang H. Sexual dimorphism in placental development and its contribution to health and diseases. Crit Rev Toxicol 2021; 51:555-570. [PMID: 34666604 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2021.1977237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
According to the Developmental Origin of Health and Disease (DOHaD), intrauterine exposure to adverse environments can affect fetus and birth outcomes and lead to long-term disease susceptibility. Evidence has shown that neonatal outcomes and the timing and severity of adult diseases are sexually dimorphic. As the link between mother and fetus, the placenta is an essential regulator of fetal development programming. It is found that the physiological development trajectory of the placenta has sexual dimorphism. Furthermore, under pathological conditions, the placental function undergoes sex-specific adaptation to ensure fetal survival. Therefore, the placenta may be an important mediator of sexual dimorphism in neonatal outcomes and adult disease susceptibility. Few systematic reviews have been conducted on sexual dimorphism in placental development and its underlying mechanisms. In this review, sex chromosomes and sex hormones, as the main reasons for sexual differentiation of the placenta, will be discussed. Besides, in the etiology of fetal-originated adult diseases, overexposure to glucocorticoids is closely related to adverse neonatal outcomes and long-term disease susceptibility. Studies have found that prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure leads to sexually dimorphic expression of placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms, resulting in different sensitivity of the placenta to glucocorticoids, and may further affect fetal development. The present review examines what is currently known about sex differences in placental development and the underlying regulatory mechanisms of this sex bias. This review highlights the importance of placental contributions to the origins of sexual dimorphism in health and diseases. It may help develop personalized diagnosis and treatment strategies for fetal development in pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Caiyun Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
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17
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He Z, Zhang J, Chen G, Cao J, Chen Y, Ai C, Wang H. H19/let-7 axis mediates caffeine exposure during pregnancy induced adrenal dysfunction and its multi-generation inheritance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 792:148440. [PMID: 34465058 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Previously, we systemically confirmed that prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) could cause intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and adrenal steroid synthesis dysfunction in offspring rats. However, the multi-generation inheritance of adrenal dysfunction and its epigenetic mechanism has not been reported. In this study, the PCE rat model was established, part of the pregnant rats were executed on gestational day 20, while the others were delivered normally and the fetal rats were reared into adulthood. The PCE female rats of filial generation 1 (F1) were mated with wild males to produce F2 offspring, and the same way to produce F3 offspring. All the adult female rats of three generations were sacrificed for the related detection. Results showed that PCE could decrease fetal weight, increase IUGR rate, and elevate serum corticosterone level. Meanwhile, the expression of fetal adrenal GR, DNMT3a/3b, miRNA let-7c increased while those of CTCF, H19, and StAR decreased, and the total methylation rate of the H19 promoter region was enhanced. We used SW-13 cells to clarify the molecular mechanism and found that cortisol-induced in vitro changes of these indexes were consistent with those in vivo. We confirmed that high level of cortisol through activating GR, on the one hand, promoted let-7 expression and inhibited StAR expression; on the other hand, caused high methylation and low expression of H19 by down-regulating CTCF and up-regulating DNMT3a/3b, then enhanced let-7 inhibitory effect on StAR by "molecular sponge" effect. Finally, in vivo experiments showed that the adrenal steroid synthesis function and H19/let-7 axis presented the glucocorticoid-dependent changes in the adult female F1, F2, and F3. In conclusion, PCE can cause female adrenal dysfunction with matrilineal multi-generation inheritance, which is related to the programming alteration of the H19/let-7 axis. This study provides a novel perspective to explain the multi-generation inheritance of fetal-originated disease in IUGR offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng He
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jinzhi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Guanghui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jiangang Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Can Ai
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disorder, Wuhan 430071, China.
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18
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Glucocorticoid-Dependent Mechanisms of Brain Tolerance to Hypoxia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157982. [PMID: 34360746 PMCID: PMC8348130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation of organisms to stressors is coordinated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), which involves glucocorticoids (GCs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). Although the effects of GCs are well characterized, their impact on brain adaptation to hypoxia/ischemia is still understudied. The brain is not only the most susceptible to hypoxic injury, but also vulnerable to GC-induced damage, which makes studying the mechanisms of brain hypoxic tolerance and resistance to stress-related elevation of GCs of great importance. Cross-talk between the molecular mechanisms activated in neuronal cells by hypoxia and GCs provides a platform for developing the most effective and safe means for prevention and treatment of hypoxia-induced brain damage, including hypoxic pre- and post-conditioning. Taking into account that hypoxia- and GC-induced reprogramming significantly affects the development of organisms during embryogenesis, studies of the effects of prenatal and neonatal hypoxia on health in later life are of particular interest. This mini review discusses the accumulated data on the dynamics of the HPA activation in injurious and non-injurious hypoxia, the role of the brain GRs in these processes, interaction of GCs and hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1, as well as cross-talk between GC and hypoxic signaling. It also identifies underdeveloped areas and suggests directions for further prospective studies.
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Xia X, Liu Y, Liu L, Chen Y, Wang H. Selection and verification of the combination of reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis in rat adrenal gland development. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 208:105821. [PMID: 33465421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is commonly used for gene expression analysis, and the accuracy of its results depends greatly on chosen reference genes. Adrenal gland is the core of the occurrence and development of fetal-originated adult diseases. Its dysplasia or dysfunction may increase susceptibility to adult disease, which has apparent sex differences. To explore the optimal combination of reference genes for RT-qPCR in female and male rats adrenal development, we selected seven reference genes (GAPDH, β-actin, etc.), and use RT-qPCR to detect genes expression during different stages of rats adrenal development under physiological conditions. Then we analysed data using GeNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper to select the optimal combination of reference genes. Further, we used the intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) model of rat caused by prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) to verify the stability and accuracy of the selected combination of reference genes under physiological conditions. The results showed that TBP + β-actin could be the optimal combination of reference genes for fetal rat adrenals under physiological conditions, without obvious sex differences. In infancy and adolescence, the optimal combination of reference genes for adrenals had sex differences, and females were GAPDH + β-actin, while males were GAPDH + SDHA. In PCE model, the optimal combination of reference genes was consistent with physiological conditions. Using combination of reference genes to analyze target genes can improve the accuracy of the results. In summary, this study provided reliable combination of reference genes for RT-qPCR and experimental supports for researches on adrenal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Xia
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Cholinergic-pathway-weakness-associated pancreatic islet dysfunction: a low-protein-diet imprint effect on weaned rat offspring. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2020; 11:484-491. [DOI: 10.1017/s2040174420000215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
AbstractCurrently, metabolic disorders are one of the major health problems worldwide, which have been shown to be related to perinatal nutritional insults, and the autonomic nervous system and endocrine pancreas are pivotal targets of the malprogramming of metabolic function. We aimed to assess glucose–insulin homeostasis and the involvement of cholinergic responsiveness (vagus nerve activity and insulinotropic muscarinic response) in pancreatic islet capacity to secrete insulin in weaned rat offspring whose mothers were undernourished in the first 2 weeks of the suckling phase. At delivery, dams were fed a low-protein (4% protein, LP group) or a normal-protein diet (20.5% protein, NP group) during the first 2 weeks of the suckling period. Litter size was adjusted to six pups per mother, and rats were weaned at 21 days old. Weaned LP rats presented a lean phenotype (P < 0.01); hypoglycaemia, hypoinsulinaemia and hypoleptinaemia (P < 0.05); and normal corticosteronaemia (P > 0.05). In addition, milk insulin levels in mothers of the LP rats were twofold higher than those of mothers of the NP rats (P < 0.001). Regarding glucose–insulin homeostasis, weaned LP rats were glucose-intolerant (P < 0.01) and displayed impaired pancreatic islet insulinotropic function (P < 0.05). The M3 subtype of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3mAChR) from weaned LP rats was less responsive, and the superior vagus nerve electrical activity was reduced by 30% (P < 0.01). A low-protein diet in the suckling period malprogrammes the vagus nerve to low tonus and impairs muscarinic response in the pancreatic β-cells of weaned rats, which are imprinted to secrete inadequate insulin amounts from an early age.
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Facchi JC, Lima TALD, Oliveira LRD, Costermani HDO, Miranda GDS, de Oliveira JC. Perinatal programming of metabolic diseases: The role of glucocorticoids. Metabolism 2020; 104:154047. [PMID: 31837301 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2019.154047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The worldwide increase in metabolic diseases has urged the scientific community to improve our understanding about the mechanisms underlying its cause and effects. A well supported area of studies had related maternal stress with early programming to the later metabolic diseases. Mechanisms upon origins of metabolic disturbances are not yet fully understood, even though stressful factors rising glucocorticoids have been put out as pivotal trigger by programming metabolic diseases as long-term consequence. Considering energy balance and glucose homeostasis, by producing and/or sensing regulator signals, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and endocrine pancreas are directly affected by glucocorticoids excess. We focus on the evidences reporting the role of increased glucocorticoids due to perinatal insults on the physiological systems involved in the metabolic homeostasis and in the target organs such as endocrine pancreas, white adipose tissue and blood vessels. Besides, we review some mechanisms underlining the malprogramming of type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Studies on this field are currently ongoing and even there is a good understanding regarding the effects of glucocorticoids addressing metabolic diseases, few is known about the relationship between maternal insults rising glucocorticoids to pups' metabolic disturbances, a thorough understanding about that may provide pivotal clinical clues regarding those disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Cristina Facchi
- Research Group on Perinatal Programming of Metabolic Diseases: DOHaD concept, Laboratory of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Education and Research Center, NUPADS, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, University Campus of Sinop, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Thalyne Aparecida Leite de Lima
- Research Group on Perinatal Programming of Metabolic Diseases: DOHaD concept, Laboratory of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Education and Research Center, NUPADS, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, University Campus of Sinop, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Lucas Ryba de Oliveira
- Research Group on Perinatal Programming of Metabolic Diseases: DOHaD concept, Laboratory of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Education and Research Center, NUPADS, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, University Campus of Sinop, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Hercules de Oliveira Costermani
- Research Group on Perinatal Programming of Metabolic Diseases: DOHaD concept, Laboratory of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Education and Research Center, NUPADS, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, University Campus of Sinop, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Ginislene Dias Souza Miranda
- Research Group on Perinatal Programming of Metabolic Diseases: DOHaD concept, Laboratory of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Education and Research Center, NUPADS, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, University Campus of Sinop, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Júlio Cezar de Oliveira
- Research Group on Perinatal Programming of Metabolic Diseases: DOHaD concept, Laboratory of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Education and Research Center, NUPADS, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, University Campus of Sinop, Sinop, MT, Brazil.
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Stress During Pregnancy and Epigenetic Modifications to Offspring DNA: A Systematic Review of Associations and Implications for Preterm Birth. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs 2020; 34:134-145. [PMID: 32332443 PMCID: PMC7185032 DOI: 10.1097/jpn.0000000000000471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Offspring born preterm (ie, before 37 weeks of gestation) are more likely to die or experience long-standing illness than full-term offspring. Maternal genetic variants (ie, heritable, stable variations in the genetic code) and epigenetic modifications (ie, chemical modifications to the genetic code that can affect which genes are turned on or off) in response to stress have been implicated in preterm birth. Fetal genetic variants have been linked to preterm birth though the role of offspring epigenetics in preterm birth remains understudied. This systematic review synthesizes the literature examining associations among stress during pregnancy and epigenetic modifications to offspring DNA, with 25 reports identified. Ten reports examined DNA methylation (ie, addition/removal of methyl groups to/from DNA) across the epigenome. The remainder examined DNA methylation near genes of interest, primarily genes linked to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function (NR3C1, FKBP51), growth/immune function (IGF2), and socioemotional regulation (SLC6A4, OXTR). The majority of reports noted associations among stress and offspring DNA methylation, primarily when perceived stress, anxiety, or depression served as the predictor. Findings suggest that differences in offspring epigenetic patterns may play a role in stress-associated preterm birth and serve as targets for novel interventions.
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