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Camm EJ, Cross CM, Kane AD, Tarry-Adkins JL, Ozanne SE, Giussani DA. Maternal antioxidant treatment protects adult offspring against memory loss and hippocampal atrophy in a rodent model of developmental hypoxia. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21477. [PMID: 33891326 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002557rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Chronic fetal hypoxia is one of the most common outcomes in complicated pregnancy in humans. Despite this, its effects on the long-term health of the brain in offspring are largely unknown. Here, we investigated in rats whether hypoxic pregnancy affects brain structure and function in the adult offspring and explored underlying mechanisms with maternal antioxidant intervention. Pregnant rats were randomly chosen for normoxic or hypoxic (13% oxygen) pregnancy with or without maternal supplementation with vitamin C in their drinking water. In one cohort, the placenta and fetal tissues were collected at the end of gestation. In another, dams were allowed to deliver naturally, and offspring were reared under normoxic conditions until 4 months of age (young adult). Between 3.5 and 4 months, the behavior, cognition and brains of the adult offspring were studied. We demonstrated that prenatal hypoxia reduced neuronal number, as well as vascular and synaptic density, in the hippocampus, significantly impairing memory function in the adult offspring. These adverse effects of prenatal hypoxia were independent of the hypoxic pregnancy inducing fetal growth restriction or elevations in maternal or fetal plasma glucocorticoid levels. Maternal vitamin C supplementation during hypoxic pregnancy protected against oxidative stress in the placenta and prevented the adverse effects of prenatal hypoxia on hippocampal atrophy and memory loss in the adult offspring. Therefore, these data provide a link between prenatal hypoxia, placental oxidative stress, and offspring brain health in later life, providing insight into mechanism and identifying a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Camm
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christine M Cross
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew D Kane
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jane L Tarry-Adkins
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridge Strategic Initiative in Reproduction, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dino A Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridge Strategic Initiative in Reproduction, Cambridge, UK
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Itani N, Skeffington KL, Beck C, Niu Y, Katzilieris‐Petras G, Smith N, Giussani DA. Protective effects of pravastatin on the embryonic cardiovascular system during hypoxic development. FASEB J 2020; 34:16504-16515. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001743r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Itani
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Katie L. Skeffington
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Christian Beck
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Youguo Niu
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | | | - Nicola Smith
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Dino A. Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
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3
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Teulings NEWD, Garrud TAC, Niu Y, Skeffington KL, Beck C, Itani N, Conlon FG, Botting KJ, Nicholas LM, Ashmore TJ, Blackmore HL, Tong W, Camm EJ, Derks JB, Logan A, Murphy MP, Ozanne SE, Giussani DA. Isolating adverse effects of glucocorticoids on the embryonic cardiovascular system. FASEB J 2020; 34:9664-9677. [PMID: 32502311 PMCID: PMC7611332 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000697r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy reduces mortality in the preterm infant, but evidence suggests off-target adverse effects on the developing cardiovascular system. Whether deleterious effects are direct on the offspring or secondary to alterations in uteroplacental physiology is unclear. Here, we isolated direct effects of glucocorticoids using the chicken embryo, a model system in which the effects on the developing heart and circulation of therapy can be investigated, independent of effects on the mother and/or the placenta. Fertilized chicken eggs were incubated and divided randomly into control (C) or dexamethasone (Dex) treatment at day 14 out of the 21-day incubation period. Combining functional experiments at the isolated organ, cellular and molecular levels, embryos were then studied close to term. Chicken embryos exposed to dexamethasone were growth restricted and showed systolic and diastolic dysfunction, with an increase in cardiomyocyte volume but decreased cardiomyocyte nuclear density in the left ventricle. Underlying mechanisms included a premature switch from tissue accretion to differentiation, increased oxidative stress, and activated signaling of cellular senescence. These findings, therefore, demonstrate that dexamethasone treatment can have direct detrimental off-target effects on the cardiovascular system in the developing embryo, which are independent of effects on the mother and/or placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor E. W. D. Teulings
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tessa A. C. Garrud
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Youguo Niu
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katie L. Skeffington
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christian Beck
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nozomi Itani
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fiona G. Conlon
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kimberley J. Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lisa M. Nicholas
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thomas J. Ashmore
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Heather L. Blackmore
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wen Tong
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily J. Camm
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jan B. Derks
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Angela Logan
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael P. Murphy
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Susan E. Ozanne
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dino A. Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Bondar NP, Reshetnikov VV, Burdeeva KV, Merkulova TI. Effect of neonatal dexamethasone treatment on cognitive abilities of adult male mice and gene expression in the hypothalamus. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2019. [DOI: 10.18699/vj19.514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The early postnatal period is critical for the development of the nervous system. Stress during this period causes negative long-term effects, which are manifested at both behavioral and molecular levels. To simulate the elevated glucocorticoid levels characteristic of early-life stress, in our study we used the administration of dexamethasone, an agonist of glucocorticoid receptors, at decreasing doses at the first three days of life (0.5, 0.3, 0.1 mg/kg, s.c.). In adult male mice with neonatal dexamethasone treatment, an increase in the relative weight of the adrenal glands and a decrease in body weight were observed, while the basal level of corticosterone remained unchanged. Dexamethasone treatment in early life had a negative impact on the learning and spatial memory of adult mice in the Morris water maze. We analyzed the effect of elevated glucocorticoid levels in early life on the expression of the Crh, Avp, Gr, and Mr genes involved in the regulation of the HPA axis in the hypothalami of adult mice. The expression level of the mineralocorticoid receptor gene (Mr) was significantly downregulated, and the glucocorticoid receptor gene (Gr) showed a tendency towards decreased expression (p = 0.058) in male mice neonatally treated with dexamethasone, as compared with saline administration. The expression level of the Crh gene encoding corticotropin-releasing hormone was unchanged, while the expression of the vasopressin gene (Avp) was increased in response to neonatal administration of dexamethasone. The obtained results demonstrate a disruption of negative feedback regulation of the HPA axis, which involves glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, at the level of the hypothalamus. Malfunction of the HPA axis as a result of activation of the glucocorticoid system in early life may cause the development of cognitive impairment in the adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. P. Bondar
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS;
Novosibirsk State University
| | | | | | - T. I. Merkulova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, SB RAS;
Novosibirsk State University
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Garrud TAC, Giussani DA. Combined Antioxidant and Glucocorticoid Therapy for Safer Treatment of Preterm Birth. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2019; 30:258-269. [PMID: 30850263 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ante- and postnatal glucocorticoid therapy reduces morbidity and mortality in the preterm infant, and it is therefore one of the best examples of the successful translation of basic experimental science into human clinical practice. However, accruing evidence derived from human clinical studies and from experimental studies in animal models raise serious concerns about potential long-term adverse effects of treatment on growth and neurological and cardiovascular function in the offspring. This review explores whether combined antioxidant and glucocorticoid therapy may be safer than glucocorticoid therapy alone for the treatment of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa A C Garrud
- Department of Physiology Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Cardiovascular Strategic Research Initiative, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative on Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dino A Giussani
- Department of Physiology Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Cardiovascular Strategic Research Initiative, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative on Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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[Effect of corticosterone on lissencephaly 1 expression in developing cerebral cortical neurons of fetal rats cultured in vitro]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2017; 19. [PMID: 28899473 PMCID: PMC7403054 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of corticosterone on the expression of the neuronal migration protein lissencephaly 1 (LIS1) in developing cerebral cortical neurons of fetal rats. METHODS The primary cultured cerebral cortical neurons of fetal Wistar rats were divided into control group, low-dose group, and high-dose group. The neurons were exposed to the medium containing different concentrations of corticosterone (0 μmol/L for the control group, 0.1 μmol/L for the low-dose group, and 1.0 μmol/L for the high-dose group). The neurons were collected at 1, 4, and 7 days after intervention. Western blot and immunocytochemical staining were used to observe the change in LIS1 expression in neurons. RESULTS Western blot showed that at 7 days after intervention, the low- and high-dose groups had significantly higher expression of LIS1 in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cerebral cortical neurons than the control group (P<0.05), and the high-dose group had significantly lower expression of LIS1 in the cytoplasm of cerebral cortical neurons than the low-dose group (P<0.05). Immunocytochemical staining showed that at 1, 4, and 7 days after corticosterone intervention, the high-dose group had a significantly lower mean optical density of LIS1 than the control group and the low-dose group (P<0.05). At 7 days after intervention, the low-dose group had a significantly lower mean optical density of LIS1 than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Corticosterone downregulates the expression of the neuronal migration protein LIS1 in developing cerebral cortical neurons of fetal rats cultured in vitro, and such effect depends on the concentration of corticosterone and duration of corticosterone intervention.
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Wong MJ, Kantores C, Ivanovska J, Jain A, Jankov RP. Simvastatin prevents and reverses chronic pulmonary hypertension in newborn rats via pleiotropic inhibition of RhoA signaling. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2016; 311:L985-L999. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00345.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic neonatal pulmonary hypertension (PHT) frequently results in early death. Systemically administered Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitors prevent and reverse chronic PHT in neonatal rats, but at the cost of severe adverse effects, including systemic hypotension and growth restriction. Simvastatin has pleiotropic inhibitory effects on isoprenoid intermediates that may limit activity of RhoA, which signals upstream of ROCK. We therefore hypothesized that statin treatment would safely limit pulmonary vascular RhoA activity and prevent and reverse experimental chronic neonatal PHT via downstream inhibitory effects on pathological ROCK activity. Sprague-Dawley rats in normoxia (room air) or moderate normobaric hypoxia (13% O2) received simvastatin (2 mg·kg−1·day−1 ip) or vehicle from postnatal days 1–14 (prevention protocol) or from days 14–21 (rescue protocol). Chronic hypoxia increased RhoA and ROCK activity in lung tissue. Simvastatin reduced lung content of the isoprenoid intermediate farnesyl pyrophosphate and decreased RhoA/ROCK signaling in the hypoxia-exposed lung. Preventive or rescue treatment of chronic hypoxia-exposed animals with simvastatin decreased pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary arterial remodeling. Preventive simvastatin treatment improved weight gain, did not lower systemic blood pressure, and did not cause apparent toxic effects on skeletal muscle, liver or brain. Rescue therapy with simvastatin improved exercise capacity. We conclude that simvastatin limits RhoA/ROCK activity in the chronic hypoxia-exposed lung, thus preventing or ameliorating hemodynamic and structural markers of chronic PHT and improving long-term outcome, without causing adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew J. Wong
- Physiology & Experimental Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Crystal Kantores
- Physiology & Experimental Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julijana Ivanovska
- Physiology & Experimental Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amish Jain
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert P. Jankov
- Physiology & Experimental Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Thakor AS, Allison BJ, Niu Y, Botting KJ, Serón-Ferré M, Herrera EA, Giussani DA. Melatonin modulates the fetal cardiovascular defense response to acute hypoxia. J Pineal Res 2015; 59:80-90. [PMID: 25908097 PMCID: PMC4528231 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Experimental studies in animal models supporting protective effects on the fetus of melatonin in adverse pregnancy have prompted clinical trials in human pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction. However, the effects of melatonin on the fetal defense to acute hypoxia, such as that which may occur during labor, remain unknown. This translational study tested the hypothesis, in vivo, that melatonin modulates the fetal cardiometabolic defense responses to acute hypoxia in chronically instrumented late gestation fetal sheep via alterations in fetal nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Under anesthesia, 6 fetal sheep at 0.85 gestation were instrumented with vascular catheters and a Transonic flow probe around a femoral artery. Five days later, fetuses were exposed to acute hypoxia with or without melatonin treatment. Fetal blood was taken to determine blood gas and metabolic status and plasma catecholamine concentrations. Hypoxia during melatonin treatment was repeated during in vivo NO blockade with the NO clamp. This technique permits blockade of de novo synthesis of NO while compensating for the tonic production of the gas, thereby maintaining basal cardiovascular function. Melatonin suppressed the redistribution of blood flow away from peripheral circulations and the glycemic and plasma catecholamine responses to acute hypoxia. These are important components of the fetal brain sparing response to acute hypoxia. The effects of melatonin involved NO-dependent mechanisms as the responses were reverted by fetal treatment with the NO clamp. Melatonin modulates the in vivo fetal cardiometabolic responses to acute hypoxia by increasing NO bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avnesh S Thakor
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Beth J Allison
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Youguo Niu
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kimberley J Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Serón-Ferré
- Facultad de Medicina, Programa de Fisiopatología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Emilio A Herrera
- Facultad de Medicina, Programa de Fisiopatología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Dino A Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Hanson MA, Gluckman PD. Early developmental conditioning of later health and disease: physiology or pathophysiology? Physiol Rev 2014; 94:1027-76. [PMID: 25287859 PMCID: PMC4187033 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00029.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 717] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive experimental animal studies and epidemiological observations have shown that environmental influences during early development affect the risk of later pathophysiological processes associated with chronic, especially noncommunicable, disease (NCD). This field is recognized as the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). We discuss the extent to which DOHaD represents the result of the physiological processes of developmental plasticity, which may have potential adverse consequences in terms of NCD risk later, or whether it is the manifestation of pathophysiological processes acting in early life but only becoming apparent as disease later. We argue that the evidence suggests the former, through the operation of conditioning processes induced across the normal range of developmental environments, and we summarize current knowledge of the physiological processes involved. The adaptive pathway to later risk accords with current concepts in evolutionary developmental biology, especially those concerning parental effects. Outside the normal range, effects on development can result in nonadaptive processes, and we review their underlying mechanisms and consequences. New concepts concerning the underlying epigenetic and other mechanisms involved in both disruptive and nondisruptive pathways to disease are reviewed, including the evidence for transgenerational passage of risk from both maternal and paternal lines. These concepts have wider implications for understanding the causes and possible prevention of NCDs such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, for broader social policy and for the increasing attention paid in public health to the lifecourse approach to NCD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Hanson
- Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, and NIHR Nutrition Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom; and Liggins Institute and Gravida (National Centre for Growth and Development), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - P D Gluckman
- Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, and NIHR Nutrition Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom; and Liggins Institute and Gravida (National Centre for Growth and Development), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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