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Coker SJ, Berry MJ, Vissers MCM, Dyson RM. Maternal Vitamin C Intake during Pregnancy Influences Long-Term Offspring Growth with Timing- and Sex-Specific Effects in Guinea Pigs. Nutrients 2024; 16:369. [PMID: 38337653 PMCID: PMC10857109 DOI: 10.3390/nu16030369] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Our previous work in guinea pigs revealed that low vitamin C intake during preconception and pregnancy adversely affects fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and foetal and neonatal growth in a sex-dependent manner. To investigate the long-term impact on offspring, we monitored their growth from birth to adolescence (four months), recorded organ weights at childhood equivalence (28 days) and adolescence, and assessed physiological parameters like oral glucose tolerance and basal cortisol concentrations. We also investigated the effects of the timing of maternal vitamin C restriction (early vs. late gestation) on pregnancy outcomes and the health consequences for offspring. Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were fed an optimal (900 mg/kg feed) or low (100 mg/kg feed) vitamin C diet ad libitum during preconception. Pregnant dams were then randomised into four feeding regimens: consistently optimal, consistently low, low during early pregnancy, or low during late pregnancy. We found that low maternal vitamin C intake during early pregnancy accelerated foetal and neonatal growth in female offspring and altered glucose homeostasis in the offspring of both sexes at an age equivalent to early childhood. Conversely, low maternal vitamin C intake during late pregnancy resulted in foetal growth restriction and reduced weight gain in male offspring throughout their lifespan. We conclude that altered vitamin C during development has long-lasting, sex-specific consequences for offspring and that the timing of vitamin C depletion is also critical, with low levels during early development being associated with the development of a metabolic syndrome-related phenotype, while later deprivation appears to be linked to a growth-faltering phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharna J. Coker
- Perinatal and Developmental Physiology Group, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand; (M.J.B.); (R.M.D.)
| | - Mary J. Berry
- Perinatal and Developmental Physiology Group, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand; (M.J.B.); (R.M.D.)
| | - Margreet C. M. Vissers
- Mātai Hāora-Centre for Redox Biology and Medicine, Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand;
| | - Rebecca M. Dyson
- Perinatal and Developmental Physiology Group, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand; (M.J.B.); (R.M.D.)
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Ascorbate Is a Primary Antioxidant in Mammals. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196187. [PMID: 36234722 PMCID: PMC9572970 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascorbate (vitamin C in primates) functions as a cofactor for a number of enzymatic reactions represented by prolyl hydroxylases and as an antioxidant due to its ability to donate electrons, which is mostly accomplished through non-enzymatic reaction in mammals. Ascorbate directly reacts with radical species and is converted to ascorbyl radical followed by dehydroascorbate. Ambiguities in physiological relevance of ascorbate observed during in vivo situations could be attributed in part to presence of other redox systems and the pro-oxidant properties of ascorbate. Most mammals are able to synthesize ascorbate from glucose, which is also considered to be an obstacle to verify its action. In addition to animals with natural deficiency in the ascorbate synthesis, such as guinea pigs and ODS rats, three strains of mice with genetic removal of the responsive genes (GULO, RGN, or AKR1A) for the ascorbate synthesis have been established and are being used to investigate the physiological roles of ascorbate. Studies using these mice, along with ascorbate transporter (SVCT)-deficient mice, largely support its ability in protection against oxidative insults. While combined actions of ascorbate in regulating epigenetics and antioxidation appear to effectively prevent cancer development, pharmacological doses of ascorbate and dehydroascorbate may exert tumoricidal activity through redox-dependent mechanisms.
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Coker SJ, Smith-Díaz CC, Dyson RM, Vissers MCM, Berry MJ. The Epigenetic Role of Vitamin C in Neurodevelopment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031208. [PMID: 35163133 PMCID: PMC8836017 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The maternal diet during pregnancy is a key determinant of offspring health. Early studies have linked poor maternal nutrition during gestation with a propensity for the development of chronic conditions in offspring. These conditions include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even compromised mental health. While multiple factors may contribute to these outcomes, disturbed epigenetic programming during early development is one potential biological mechanism. The epigenome is programmed primarily in utero, and during this time, the developing fetus is highly susceptible to environmental factors such as nutritional insults. During neurodevelopment, epigenetic programming coordinates the formation of primitive central nervous system structures, neurogenesis, and neuroplasticity. Dysregulated epigenetic programming has been implicated in the aetiology of several neurodevelopmental disorders such as Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome. Accordingly, there is great interest in determining how maternal nutrient availability in pregnancy might affect the epigenetic status of offspring, and how such influences may present phenotypically. In recent years, a number of epigenetic enzymes that are active during embryonic development have been found to require vitamin C as a cofactor. These enzymes include the ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenases (TETs) and the Jumonji C domain-containing histone lysine demethylases that catalyse the oxidative removal of methyl groups on cytosines and histone lysine residues, respectively. These enzymes are integral to epigenetic regulation and have fundamental roles in cellular differentiation, the maintenance of pluripotency and development. The dependence of these enzymes on vitamin C for optimal catalytic activity illustrates a potentially critical contribution of the nutrient during mammalian development. These insights also highlight a potential risk associated with vitamin C insufficiency during pregnancy. The link between vitamin C insufficiency and development is particularly apparent in the context of neurodevelopment and high vitamin C concentrations in the brain are indicative of important functional requirements in this organ. Accordingly, this review considers the evidence for the potential impact of maternal vitamin C status on neurodevelopmental epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharna J. Coker
- Perinatal & Developmental Physiology Group, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand; (S.J.C.); (R.M.D.)
| | - Carlos C. Smith-Díaz
- Centre for Free Radical Research, Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand;
| | - Rebecca M. Dyson
- Perinatal & Developmental Physiology Group, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand; (S.J.C.); (R.M.D.)
| | - Margreet C. M. Vissers
- Centre for Free Radical Research, Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand;
- Correspondence: (M.C.M.V.); (M.J.B.)
| | - Mary J. Berry
- Perinatal & Developmental Physiology Group, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6242, New Zealand; (S.J.C.); (R.M.D.)
- Correspondence: (M.C.M.V.); (M.J.B.)
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Tveden-Nyborg P. Vitamin C Deficiency in the Young Brain-Findings from Experimental Animal Models. Nutrients 2021; 13:1685. [PMID: 34063417 PMCID: PMC8156420 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe and long-term vitamin C deficiency can lead to fatal scurvy, which is fortunately considered rare today. However, a moderate state of vitamin C (vitC) deficiency (hypovitaminosis C)-defined as a plasma concentration below 23 μM-is estimated to affect up to 10% of the population in the Western world, albeit clinical hallmarks in addition to scurvy have not been linked to vitC deficiency. The brain maintains a high vitC content and uniquely high levels during deficiency, supporting vitC's importance in the brain. Actions include both antioxidant and co-factor functions, rendering vitamin C deficiency likely to affect several targets in the brain, and it could be particularly significant during development where a high cellular metabolism and an immature antioxidant system might increase sensitivity. However, investigations of a non-scorbutic state of vitC deficiency and effects on the developing young brain are scarce. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the complex mechanisms that regulate vitC homeostasis in vivo and in the brain in particular. Functions of vitC in the brain and the potential consequences of deficiency during brain development are highlighted, based primarily on findings from experimental animal models. Perspectives for future investigations of vitC are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Tveden-Nyborg
- Section of Experimental Animal Models, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ishii N, Homma T, Takeda Y, Aung NY, Yamada KI, Miyata S, Asao H, Yamakawa M, Fujii J. Developmental retardation in neonates of aldehyde reductase (AKR1A)-deficient mice is associated with low ascorbic acid and high corticosterone levels. J Nutr Biochem 2021; 91:108604. [PMID: 33549889 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Aldehyde reductase encoded by the Akr1a gene catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of a variety of aldehyde compounds, and it plays a role in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid (AsA) by converting D-glucuronate to L-gulonate. Although supplementing drinking water with AsA (1.5 mg/mL) ameliorates the fertility of Akr1a-/- (KO) female mice, litter sizes in the KO mice are typically smaller than those for Akr1a+/+ (WT) mice, and about one-third of the neonates have a reduced stature. Half of the neonates in the smallest, developmentally retarded group died before weaning, and the remaining half (less than 6 g in weight) also barely grew to adulthood. While no difference was found in the number of fetuses between the KO and WT mice at 14.5-embryonic days, the sizes of the KO fetuses had already diverged. Among the organs of these retarded KO neonates at 30 d, the spleen and thymus were characteristically small. While an examination of spleen cells showed the normal proportion of immune cells, apoptotic cell death was increased in the thymus, which would lead to thymic atrophy in the retarded KO neonates. Plasma AsA levels were lower in the small neonates despite the fact that their mothers had received sufficient AsA supplementation, and the corticosterone levels were inversely higher compared to wild-type mice. Thus, insufficient AsA contents together with a defect in corticosterone metabolism might be the cause of the retarded growth of the AKR1A-deficient mice embryos and neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Ishii
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Takujiro Homma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Yuji Takeda
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Naing Ye Aung
- Department of Pathological Diagnostics, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Yamada
- Physical Chemistry for Life Science Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan; AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Miyata
- Miyata Diabetes and Metabolism Clinic, Fukushima-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hironobu Asao
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Yamakawa
- Department of Pathological Diagnostics, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Junichi Fujii
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan.
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Ascorbic acid during the suckling period is required for proper DNA demethylation in the liver. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21228. [PMID: 33277554 PMCID: PMC7718234 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77962-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) serves as a cofactor for ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes and induces DNA demethylation in vitro. However, its role in DNA demethylation in vivo remains unclear. We previously reported that DNA demethylation in the mouse liver was enhanced during the suckling period. Therefore, we hypothesized that DNA demethylation is enhanced in an AA-dependent manner during the suckling period. To examine our hypothesis, we employed wild-type (WT) mice, which synthesize AA, and senescence marker protein-30/gluconolactonase (SMP30/GNL) knockout (KO) mice, which cannot synthesize AA, and analyzed the DNA methylation status in the livers of offspring in both the suckling period and adulthood. SMP30/GNL KO offspring showed DNA hypermethylation in the liver possibly due to low plasma and hepatic AA levels during the suckling period despite the administration of rescue-dose AA to dams. Furthermore, DNA hypermethylation of the fibroblast growth factor 21 gene (Fgf21), a PPARα target gene, persisted into adulthood. In contrast, a high-dose AA administration to SMP30/GNL KO dams during the lactation period restored DNA demethylation in the livers of offspring. Even though a slight increase was observed in plasma AA levels with the administration of rescue-dose AA to WT dams during the gestation and lactation periods, DNA demethylation in the livers of offspring was minimally enhanced. The present results demonstrate that AA intake during the suckling period is required for proper DNA demethylation in the liver.
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Minatsuki S, Takeda N, Soma K, Katoh M, Maki H, Hatano M, Takimoto E, Manabe I, Komuro I. Murine Model of Pulmonary Artery Overflow Vasculopathy Revealed Macrophage Accumulation in the Lung. Int Heart J 2019; 60:451-456. [DOI: 10.1536/ihj.18-281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shun Minatsuki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Norihiko Takeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Katsura Soma
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Manami Katoh
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Hisataka Maki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Masaru Hatano
- Department of Therapeutic Strategy for Heart Failure, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Eiki Takimoto
- Department of Advanced Translational Research and Medicine in Management of Pulmonary Hypertension, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Ichiro Manabe
- Department of Disease Biology and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University
| | - Issei Komuro
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
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Son YS, Ullah HMA, Elfadl AK, Chung MJ, Ghim SG, Kim YD, Lee EJ, Kang KK, Jeong KS. Preventive Effects of Vitamin C on Diethylnitrosamine-induced Hepatotoxicity in Smp30 Knockout Mice. In Vivo 2018; 32:93-99. [PMID: 29275304 PMCID: PMC5892647 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is well known as a free radical scavenger that protects cells against damage from oxidative stress. Herein, we investigated the effects of vitamin C against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatotoxicity. Male wild-type (C57BL/6) and senescence marker protein-30 (Smp30) knockout (KO) mice were used and divided in the following four groups: WT group (n=15): Wild-type (WT) mice fed vitamin C-free diet with tap water; WV group (n=14): WT mice fed vitamin C-free diet with water supplemented with 1.5 g/kg vitamin C; KT group (n=12): Smp30 KO mice fed vitamin C-free diet with tap water; and KV group (n=13): Smp30 KO mice fed vitamin C-free diet with water supplemented with 1.5 g/kg vitamin C. A single intraperitoneal injection of DEN (5 mg/kg body weight) was injected in the second week during the experimental period. Mice were sacrificed after 17 weeks of treatment to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin C on DEN-induced hepatotoxicity. The results showed that vitamin C significantly increased the mean lifespan (p<0.05) in the WT, WV and KV groups compared with the KT group. The serum concentrations of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase did not significantly differ among groups. The WT group exhibited significantly more acute cellular swelling accompanied by centrilobular necrosis, focal lymphocyte infiltration, and eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies as compared with the WV and KV groups, suggesting that vitamin C had a hepatoprotective effect. Dysplastic, large, and binucleated hepatocytes were also observed in the WT group, but these pathological signs were absent from the WV and KV groups. Our experimental evidence suggests that vitamin C supplementation in Smp30 KO mice was effective for the treatment of DEN-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Sook Son
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - H M Arif Ullah
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahmed K Elfadl
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Jin Chung
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Soong-Gu Ghim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Deuk Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Joo Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Ku Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Shik Jeong
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Kondo Y, Ishigami A. Involvement of senescence marker protein-30 in glucose metabolism disorder and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 16 Suppl 1:4-16. [PMID: 27018279 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30) was found to decrease in the liver, kidneys and lungs of mice during aging. SMP30 is a pleiotropic protein that acts to protect cells from apoptosis by enhancing plasma membrane Ca(2+) -pump activity and is bona fide gluconolactonase (EC 3.1.1.17) that participates in the penultimate step of the vitamin C biosynthetic pathway. For the past several years, we have obtained strong evidence showing the close relationship between SMP30, glucose metabolism disorder and non-alchoholic fatty liver disease in experiments with SMP30 knockout mice. Emerging proof links the following abnormalities: (i) the reduction of SMP30 by aging and/or excessive dietary fat or genetic deficiency causes a loss of Ca(2+) pumping activity, which impairs acute insulin release in pancreatic β-cells, initiates inflammatory responses with oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in non-alchoholic steatohepatitis, exacerbates renal tubule damage, and introduces tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy; (ii) vitamin C insufficiency also impairs acute insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells by a mechanism distinct from that of the SMP30 deficiency; and (iii) the increased oxidative stress by concomitant deficiencies of SMP30, superoxide dismutase 1 and vitamin C similarly causes hepatic steatosis. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of SMP30 in glucose metabolism disorder and non-alchoholic fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Kondo
- Molecular Regulation of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihito Ishigami
- Molecular Regulation of Aging, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
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Camarena V, Wang G. The epigenetic role of vitamin C in health and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:1645-58. [PMID: 26846695 PMCID: PMC4805483 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances have uncovered a previously unknown function of vitamin C in epigenetic regulation. Vitamin C exists predominantly as an ascorbate anion under physiological pH conditions. Ascorbate was discovered as a cofactor for methylcytosine dioxygenases that are responsible for DNA demethylation, and also as a likely cofactor for some JmjC domain-containing histone demethylases that catalyze histone demethylation. Variation in ascorbate bioavailability thus can influence the demethylation of both DNA and histone, further leading to different phenotypic presentations. Ascorbate deficiency can be presented systematically, spatially and temporally in different tissues at the different stages of development and aging. Here, we review how ascorbate deficiency could potentially be involved in embryonic and postnatal development, and plays a role in various diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer through epigenetic dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Camarena
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Biomedical Research Building, Rm. 608, 1501 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Gaofeng Wang
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Biomedical Research Building, Rm. 608, 1501 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
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Schjoldager JG, Paidi MD, Lindblad MM, Birck MM, Kjærgaard AB, Dantzer V, Lykkesfeldt J, Tveden-Nyborg P. Maternal vitamin C deficiency during pregnancy results in transient fetal and placental growth retardation in guinea pigs. Eur J Nutr 2014; 54:667-76. [PMID: 25472559 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-014-0809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recently, we reported that preferential maternal-fetal vitamin C (vitC) transport across the placenta is likely to be impaired by prolonged maternal vitC deficiency. Maintenance of a basal maternal vitC supply at the expense of the fetus may impair fetal development; however, the knowledge of vitC's impact on intrauterine development is sparse. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of maternal vitC status on fetal and placental development in guinea pigs. METHODS Twenty pregnant Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were randomized into four groups to receive diets either sufficient (918 mg/kg CTRL) or deficient (100 mg/kg DEF) in vitC. Cesarean sections at gestational day (GD) 45 or 56 allowed for fetal and placental measurements. RESULTS At GD45, body, brain and placental weights were significantly reduced in DEF pups compared with CTRL (p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). DEF plasma vitC levels were ~6% of those of CTRL (p < 0.0001), and the fetal/maternal plasma vitC ratio was significantly reduced at GD56 in the DEF animals compared with controls (p = 0.035). Placental vitC levels were reduced in DEF animals (p < 0.0001) and the ascorbate oxidation ratio and glutathione elevated compared with controls (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Although no clinical differences between CTRL and DEF pups were observed at GD56, the present data suggest that vitC plays a role in early fetal development. Although no clinical differences between CTRL and DEF pups were observed at GD56, the present data suggest that vitC plays a role in early fetal development. Low maternal vitC intake during pregnancy may compromise maternal weight gain, placental function and intrauterine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Gram Schjoldager
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 9 Ridebanevej, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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