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Apostolopoulou A, Tranidou A, Chroni V, Tsakiridis I, Tsekitsidi E, Kalaitzopoulou I, Magriplis E, Bakaloudi D, Chrysoula L, Pazaras N, Dagklis T, Chourdakis M. Preconceptional micronutrient adequacy among women in Greece: a prospective epidemiological study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2024; 37:2343613. [PMID: 38637273 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2343613] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The importance of micronutrient intake during the preconceptional and early pregnancy period for both maternal and fetal outcomes is well-known, however, relevant data are not available for Greek pregnant women. The aim of the present study is to delineate the nutritional status preceding conception among a representative cohort of Greek pregnant women. METHODS This was a prospective study of pregnant women from routine care, recruited at 11+0-13+6 gestational weeks, between December 2020 and October 2022, at the 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Eligible participants for the study included healthy pregnant women aged 20 years or older, possessing a proficient understanding of the Greek language, and not engaged in specific nutritional programs. A validated Food Frequency Questionnaire was applied to gather information regarding nutritional habits in the last 6 months prior to conception. The consumption of nutrients was compared to the reference intake levels suggested by the European Food Safety Authority. Further analyses between different participants' subgroups were performed. RESULTS Overall, 1100 pregnant women (mean age: 32.4 ± 4.9 years) were enrolled. Almost all examined micronutrients' intake was significantly different from dietary reference values. Furthermore, nutrient adequacy ratio was below 60% in 6 out of 22 micronutrients examined, and Mean Adequacy Ratio was 93%. However, Mean Adequacy Ratio is characterized by extreme variance between the examined values. Iodine, folic acid, potassium, and vitamin D intake levels were significantly lower than the recommended intake levels (p < .001 for all), while vitamin K and niacin (p < .001 for both) were consumed in great extent. Sodium median intake, without calculating extra salt addition also exceeded the reference value levels (p = .03). Notably, magnesium intake exceeded the upper safety limits in 12.4% of the sample. CONCLUSION Potential inadequacies in important micronutrients for uneventful pregnancy outcomes have been revealed.. Special attention is needed for magnesium to balance possible toxicity with evident benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Apostolopoulou
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antigoni Tranidou
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Violeta Chroni
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsakiridis
- 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eirini Tsekitsidi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioustini Kalaitzopoulou
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Emmanuella Magriplis
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Bakaloudi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Lydia Chrysoula
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Pazaras
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Themistoklis Dagklis
- 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michail Chourdakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social and Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Lüleci HB, Jones A, Çakır T. Multi-omics analyses highlight molecular differences between clinical and neuropathological diagnoses in Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:4922-4936. [PMID: 39072881 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16482] [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: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Both clinical diagnosis and neuropathological diagnosis are commonly used in literature to categorize individuals as Alzheimer's disease (AD) or non-AD in omics analyses. Whether these diagnostic strategies result in distinct profiles of molecular abnormalities is poorly understood. Here, we analysed one of the most commonly used AD omics datasets in the literature from the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP) cohort and compared the two diagnosis strategies using brain transcriptome and metabolome by grouping individuals as non-AD and AD according to clinical or neuropathological diagnosis separately. Differentially expressed genes, associated pathways related with AD hallmarks and AD-related genes showed that the categorization based on neuropathological diagnosis more accurately reflects the disease state at the molecular level than the categorization based on clinical diagnosis. We further identified consensus biomarker candidates between the two diagnosis strategies such as 5-hydroxylysine, sphingomyelin and 1-myristoyl-2-palmitoyl-GPC as metabolite biomarkers and sphingolipid metabolism as a pathway biomarker, which could be robust AD biomarkers since they are independent of diagnosis strategies. We also used consensus AD and consensus non-AD individuals between the two diagnostic strategies to train a machine-learning based model, which we used to classify the individuals who were cognitively normal but diagnosed as AD based on neuropathological diagnosis (asymptomatic AD individuals). The majority of these individuals were classified as consensus AD patients for both omics data types. Our study provides a detailed characterization of both diagnostic strategies in terms of the association of the corresponding multi-omics profiles with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Attila Jones
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Tunahan Çakır
- Department of Bioengineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey
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Mwachaka PM, Gichangi P, Abdelmalek A, Odula P, Ogeng'o J. Impact of varying maternal dietary folate intake on cerebellar cortex histomorphology and cell density in offspring rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2024; 84:406-422. [PMID: 38773676 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10337] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum has a long, protracted developmental period that spans from the embryonic to postnatal periods; as a result, it is more sensitive to intrauterine and postnatal insults like nutritional deficiencies. Folate is crucial for foetal and early postnatal brain development; however, its effects on cerebellar growth and development are unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of maternal folate intake on the histomorphology and cell density of the developing cerebellum. Twelve adult female rats (rattus norvegicus) were randomly assigned to one of four premixed diet groups: standard (2 mg/kg), folate-deficient (0 mg/kg), folate-supplemented (8 mg/kg) or folate supra-supplemented (40 mg/kg). The rats started their diets 14 days before mating and consumed them throughout pregnancy and lactation. On postnatal days 1, 7, 21 and 35, five pups from each group were sacrificed, and their brains were processed for light microscopic analysis. Histomorphology and cell density of the external granule, molecular, Purkinje and internal granule layers were obtained. The folate-deficient diet group had smaller, dysmorphic cells and significantly lower densities of external granule, molecular, Purkinje and internal granule cells. Although the folate-enriched groups had greater cell densities than the controls, the folate-supplemented group had considerably higher cell densities than the supra-supplemented group. The folate supra-supplemented group had ectopic Purkinje cells in the internal granule cell layer. These findings imply that a folate-deficient diet impairs cellular growth and reduces cell density in the cerebellar cortex. On the other hand, folate supplementation increases cell densities, but there appears to be an optimal dose of supplementation since excessive folate levels may be detrimental.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Gichangi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Adel Abdelmalek
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paul Odula
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Julius Ogeng'o
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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Stepien BK, Wielockx B. From Vessels to Neurons-The Role of Hypoxia Pathway Proteins in Embryonic Neurogenesis. Cells 2024; 13:621. [PMID: 38607059 PMCID: PMC11012138 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070621] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryonic neurogenesis can be defined as a period of prenatal development during which divisions of neural stem and progenitor cells give rise to neurons. In the central nervous system of most mammals, including humans, the majority of neocortical neurogenesis occurs before birth. It is a highly spatiotemporally organized process whose perturbations lead to cortical malformations and dysfunctions underlying neurological and psychiatric pathologies, and in which oxygen availability plays a critical role. In case of deprived oxygen conditions, known as hypoxia, the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathway is activated, resulting in the selective expression of a group of genes that regulate homeostatic adaptations, including cell differentiation and survival, metabolism and angiogenesis. While a physiological degree of hypoxia is essential for proper brain development, imbalanced oxygen levels can adversely affect this process, as observed in common obstetrical pathologies such as prematurity. This review comprehensively explores and discusses the current body of knowledge regarding the role of hypoxia and the HIF pathway in embryonic neurogenesis of the mammalian cortex. Additionally, it highlights existing gaps in our understanding, presents unanswered questions, and provides avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara K. Stepien
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ben Wielockx
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Experimental Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Zupo R, Castellana F, Boero G, Matera E, Colacicco G, Piscitelli P, Clodoveo ML, Rondanelli M, Panza F, Lozupone M, Sardone R. Processed foods and diet quality in pregnancy may affect child neurodevelopment disorders: a narrative review. Nutr Neurosci 2024; 27:361-381. [PMID: 37039128 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2023.2197709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the evidence on the association between maternal exposure to ultra-processed food (UPF) categories, UPF diet items, and overall diet quality, as assessed by recognized dietary indices, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. METHODS PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Ovid, and Scholar databases were searched for original articles on female gestational exposure to UPF categories, individual elements of the UPF diet, or indices of diet quality, in relation to outcomes regarding their offspring's neurocognitive development, according to neuropsychometric and behavioral scales, anthropometric/psychomotor indices, and symptoms/diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). RESULTS Fourteen articles were selected and underwent the quantitative analysis. Six of these examined diet quality, and eight exposure to UPF categories or specific UPF foods. The maternal population was adult (18+). Child cognitive development was negatively impacted by a diet featuring many processed foods, saturated fats, and sugars. Conversely, a Med-diet led to better neurodevelopment, particularly verbal intelligence and executive functions, in middle childhood. DISCUSSION A maternal diet with many UPFs, saturated fats, and total sugars (especially those added or hidden in packaged carbonated beverages) can adversely affect a child's cognitive development. Knowledge needs to be further extended and managed from a prevention perspective in light of the well-known negative effects of UPFs on human health in all age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Zupo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Fabio Castellana
- Unit of Data Sciences and Technology Innovation for Population Health, National Institute of Gastroenterology "Saverio de Bellis," Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Boero
- Complex Structure of Neurology, SS Annunziata Hospital, Taranto, Italy
| | - Emilia Matera
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University "A. Moro," Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Colacicco
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBrain), niversity "Aldo Moro," Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Maria Lisa Clodoveo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University "Aldo Moro", Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Rondanelli
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Department of Public Health, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Panza
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBrain), niversity "Aldo Moro," Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBrain), niversity "Aldo Moro," Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Sardone
- Unit of Data Sciences and Technology Innovation for Population Health, National Institute of Gastroenterology "Saverio de Bellis," Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
- Local Healthcare Authority of Taranto, Italy
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Gurugubelli KR, Ballambattu VB. Perspectives on folate with special reference to epigenetics and neural tube defects. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 125:108576. [PMID: 38479591 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108576] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Folate is a micronutrient essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, fetal growth and development. Folate deficiency leads to genomic instability. Inadequate intake of folate during conception may lead to neural tube defects (NTDs) in the offspring. Folate influences the DNA methylation, histone methylation and homocysteine mediated gene methylation. DNA methylation influences the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). Folate deficiency may be associated with miRNAs misregulation leading to NTDs. Mitochondrial epigenetics and folate metabolism has proved to be involved in embryogenesis and neural tube development. Folate related genetic variants also cause the occurrence of NTDs. Unmetabolized excessive folate may affect health adversely. Hence estimation of folate levels in the blood plays an important role in high-risk cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Rao Gurugubelli
- Department of Biochemistry, Andhra Medical College (AMC), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Vishnu Bhat Ballambattu
- Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital (AVMC & H), Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (DU), Kirumambakkam, Puducherry, India.
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Knuth MM, Campos CV, Smith K, Hutchins EK, Lewis S, York M, Coghill LM, Franklin C, MacFarlane A, Ericsson AC, Magnuson T, Ideraabdullah F. Timing of standard chow exposure determines the variability of mouse phenotypic outcomes and gut microbiota profile. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.28.587032. [PMID: 38585881 PMCID: PMC10996631 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.28.587032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Standard chow diet contributes to reproducibility in animal model experiments since chows differ in nutrient composition, which can independently influence phenotypes. However, there is little evidence of the role of timing in the extent of variability caused by chow exposure. Here, we measured the impact of diet (5V5M, 5V0G, 2920X, and 5058) and timing of exposure (adult exposure (AE), lifetime exposure (LE), and developmental exposure (DE)) on growth & development, metabolic health indicators, and gut bacterial microbiota profiles across genetically identical C57BL6/J mice. Diet drove differences in macro- and micronutrient intake for all exposure models. AE had no effect on measured outcomes. However, LE mice exhibited significant sex-dependent diet effects on growth, body weight, and body composition. LE effects were mostly absent in the DE model, where mice were exposed to chow differences from conception to weaning. Both AE and LE models exhibited similar diet-driven beta diversity profiles for the gut bacterial microbiota, with 5058 diet driving the most distinct profile. Diet-induced beta diversity profiles were sex-dependent for LE mice. Compared to AE, LE drove 9X more diet-driven differentially abundant genera, majority of which were the result of inverse effects of 2920X and 5058. Our findings demonstrate that lifetime exposure to different chow diets has the greatest impact on reproducibility of experimental measures that are common components of preclinical mouse model studies. Importantly, weaning DE mice onto a uniform diet is likely an effective way to reduce unwanted phenotypic variability among experimental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M. Knuth
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Carolina Vieira Campos
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-881, Brazil
| | - Kirsten Smith
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth K. Hutchins
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Shantae Lewis
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Mary York
- University of Missouri (MU) Bioinformatics and Analytics Core, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Lyndon M. Coghill
- University of Missouri (MU) Bioinformatics and Analytics Core, Bond Life Sciences Center, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, MU, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Craig Franklin
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, MU, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center at the University of Missouri (MU MMRRC), Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- MU Metagenomics Center (MUMC), University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Amanda MacFarlane
- Texas A&M Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Evidence Center, Fort Worth, TX 76102, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station TX 77843, USA
| | - Aaron C. Ericsson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, MU, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center at the University of Missouri (MU MMRRC), Columbia, MO 65201, USA
- MU Metagenomics Center (MUMC), University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
| | - Terry Magnuson
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Folami Ideraabdullah
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Heydari B, Mashayekhi F, Kashani MHG. Effect of in ovo feeding of folic acid on Disabled-1 and gga-miR-182-5p expression in the cerebral cortex of chick embryo. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2024; 108:285-290. [PMID: 37814386 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13889] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Folate (vitamin B9) has been shown to reduce the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs). Many genes comprising Disabled-1 (DAB1) and miRNAs have been shown to play important role in normal brain development. Reelin-signalling has been shown to play key role in regulating of neuronal migration during brain development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of in ovo administration of folic acid (FA) on DAB1 and gga-miR-182-5p expression in the cerebral cortex of chick embryo. A total number of 30 hatching eggs were used in this study. The number of 10 eggs were injected into the yolk sac with FA (150 µg/egg), 10 eggs by normal saline (sham group) on embryonic day 11 and 10 eggs were left without injection as control. Then the cerebral cortices were collected on E19 and the expression of DAB1 and gga-miR-182-5p was studied by Real-Time PCR. The results showed that DAB1 expression in the cerebral cortex of FA-treated, sham and control were 2.51 ± 0.13, 1.01 ± 0.04 and 1.03 ± 0.04 fold changes, respectively, and this amount for gga-miR-182-5p were 0.54 ± 0.03, 1.09 ± 0.07 and 1.00 ± 0.06-fold change respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there is a significant increase in DAB1 and a decrease in gga-miR-182-5p expression in FA injected cerebral cortex as compared either with either SHAM or control (p < 0.0001). But, no significant change in DAB1 and gga-miR-182-5p expression was observed between sham and the control group (p = 0.99 and p = 0.57 respectively). It is concluded that in ovo feeding of FA increases DAB1 and decreases gga-miR-182-5p expression in the developing chick cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Heydari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran
| | - Farhad Mashayekhi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
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Lioudyno VI, Tsymbalova EA, Chernyavskaya EA, Scripchenko EY, Bisaga GN, Dmitriev AV, Abdurasulova IN. Association of Increased Homocysteine Levels with Impaired Folate Metabolism and Vitamin B Deficiency in Early-Onset Multiple Sclerosis. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:562-573. [PMID: 38648773 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924030143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The contents of homocysteine (HCy), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), folic acid (vitamin B9), and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) were analyzed and the genotypes of the main gene polymorphisms associated with folate metabolism (C677T and A1298C of the MTHFR gene, A2756G of the MTR gene and A66G of the MTRR gene) were determined in children at the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) (with disease duration of no more than six months), healthy children under 18 years (control group), healthy adults without neurological pathology, adult patients with MS at the onset of disease, and adult patients with long-term MS. A significant increase in the HCy levels was found in children at the MS onset compared to healthy children of the corresponding age. It was established that the content of HCy in children has a high predictive value. At the same time, an increase in the HCy levels was not accompanied by the deficiency of vitamins B6, B9, and B12 in the blood. The lack of correlation between the laboratory signs of vitamin deficiency and HCy levels may be due to the polymorphic variants of folate cycle genes. An increased HCy level should be considered as a marker of functional disorders of folate metabolism accompanying the development of pathological process in pediatric MS. Our finding can be used to develop new approaches to the prevention of demyelination in children and treatment of pediatric MS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elena Y Scripchenko
- Pediatric Research and Clinical Centre for Infectious Diseases, Saint Petersburg, 197022, Russia
| | - Gennadij N Bisaga
- Almazov National Medical Research Center, Saint Petersburg, 197341, Russia
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Saros L, Hart K, Koivuniemi E, Egan B, Raats M, Laitinen K. Micronutrient supplement recommendations in pregnancy vary across a geographically diverse range of countries: a narrative review. Nutr Res 2024; 123:18-37. [PMID: 38228076 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2023.12.012] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Specific food supplements are essential during preconception and pregnancy to ensure adequate intake of vitamins and minerals to support fetal growth and development and metabolic changes in the maternal body. Our objective was to identify food supplement recommendations, particularly those of folic acid, iron, Vitamin D, and iodine, during preconception and/or pregnancy across a geographically diverse range of countries. Further, we investigated whether country location and income-level related to the recommendations. We performed an electronic search and identified country-specific preconception and pregnancy food supplement recommendations, policy documents, and official guidelines of national organizations informing recommendations. To ensure the data were as accurate as possible, country-specific experts were contacted. Data were collected in 2017 and reevaluated in 2022. Country income level was determined by the World Bank classification. Each inspected country (n = 43) recommended folic acid supplementation, typically 400 µg/day, before and during pregnancy. About half of the countries recommended an iron supplement (dose range, 16-195 mg/day) and one quarter Vitamin D (typically 10 µg/d in higher latitudes) and iodine (150-200 µg/day). Country location and income level had some influence on the recommendations. Vitamin D was more often recommended in higher latitude, high-income countries. Almost all upper-middle and lower-middle income countries recommended iron supplementation, whereas less than one third of high-income countries had a corresponding recommendation. Findings suggest that food supplement recommendations for pregnant women vary across countries, likely influenced by geographic location as well as income level. These data may be used in the harmonization of food supplement recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotta Saros
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland.
| | - Kathryn Hart
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Ella Koivuniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Bernadette Egan
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Monique Raats
- Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Kirsi Laitinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; Nutrition and Food Research Center, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
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Mastrolorito F, Togo MV, Gambacorta N, Trisciuzzi D, Giannuzzi V, Bonifazi F, Liantonio A, Imbrici P, De Luca A, Altomare CD, Ciriaco F, Amoroso N, Nicolotti O. TISBE: A Public Web Platform for the Consensus-Based Explainable Prediction of Developmental Toxicity. Chem Res Toxicol 2024; 37:323-339. [PMID: 38200616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.3c00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Despite being extremely relevant for the protection of prenatal and neonatal health, the developmental toxicity (Dev Tox) is a highly complex endpoint whose molecular rationale is still largely unknown. The lack of availability of high-quality data as well as robust nontesting methods makes its understanding even more difficult. Thus, the application of new explainable alternative methods is of utmost importance, with Dev Tox being one of the most animal-intensive research themes of regulatory toxicology. Descending from TIRESIA (Toxicology Intelligence and Regulatory Evaluations for Scientific and Industry Applications), the present work describes TISBE (TIRESIA Improved on Structure-Based Explainability), a new public web platform implementing four fundamental advancements for in silico analyses: a three times larger dataset, a transparent XAI (explainable artificial intelligence) framework employing a fragment-based fingerprint coding, a novel consensus classifier based on five independent machine learning models, and a new applicability domain (AD) method based on a double top-down approach for better estimating the prediction reliability. The training set (TS) includes as many as 1008 chemicals annotated with experimental toxicity values. Based on a 5-fold cross-validation, a median value of 0.410 for the Matthews correlation coefficient was calculated; TISBE was very effective, with a median value of sensitivity and specificity equal to 0.984 and 0.274, respectively. TISBE was applied on two external pools made of 1484 bioactive compounds and 85 pediatric drugs taken from ChEMBL (Chemical European Molecular Biology Laboratory) and TEDDY (Task-Force in Europe for Drug Development in the Young) repositories, respectively. Notably, TISBE gives users the option to clearly spot the molecular fragments responsible for the toxicity or the safety of a given chemical query and is available for free at https://prometheus.farmacia.uniba.it/tisbe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Mastrolorito
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Togo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Gambacorta
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Trisciuzzi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Viviana Giannuzzi
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - Fedele Bonifazi
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - Antonella Liantonio
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Imbrici
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Annamaria De Luca
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Cosimo Damiano Altomare
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Fulvio Ciriaco
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Amoroso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Orazio Nicolotti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
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12
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Kubant R, Cho CE, Pannia E, Hammoud R, Yang NV, Simonian R, Anderson GH. Methyl donor micronutrients, hypothalamic development and programming for metabolic disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 157:105512. [PMID: 38128771 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105512] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Nutriture in utero is essential for fetal brain development through the regulation of neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and has a long-lasting impact on risk of disease in offspring. This review examines the role of maternal methyl donor micronutrients in neuronal development and programming of physiological functions of the hypothalamus, with a focus on later-life metabolic outcomes. Although evidence is mainly derived from preclinical studies, recent research shows that methyl donor micronutrients (e.g., folic acid and choline) are critical for neuronal development of energy homeostatic pathways and the programming of characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in mothers and their children. Both folic acid and choline are active in one-carbon metabolism with their impact on epigenetic modification of gene expression. We conclude that an imbalance of folic acid and choline intake during gestation disrupts DNA methylation patterns affecting mechanisms of hypothalamic development, and thus elevates metabolic disease risk. Further investigation, including studies to determine translatability to humans, is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Kubant
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clara E Cho
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Emanuela Pannia
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rola Hammoud
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Neil Victor Yang
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Simonian
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - G Harvey Anderson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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13
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Yoshikawa M, Suemaru K. Prenatal folate deficiency impairs sociability and memory/recognition in mice offspring. Brain Res 2024; 1822:148639. [PMID: 37858854 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148639] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Folate is essential for the normal growth and development of the fetus. Folic acid supplementation during the fetal period affects postnatal brain development and reduces the incidence of mental disorders in animal and human studies. However, the association between folate deficiency (FD) during pregnancy and developmental disorders in children remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether prenatal FD is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. ICR mice were fed a control diet (2 mg folic acid/kg diet) or a folate-deficient diet (0.3 mg folic acid/kg diet) from embryonic day 1 until parturition. We evaluated locomotor activity, anxiety, grooming, sociability and learning memory in male offspring at 7-10 weeks of age. No differences were found in locomotor activity or anxiety in the open field test, nor in grooming time in the self-grooming test. However, sociability, spatial memory, and novel object recognition were impaired in the FD mice compared with control offspring. Furthermore, we measured protein expression levels of the NMDA and AMPA receptors, as well as PSD-95 and the GABA-synthesizing enzymes GAD65/67 in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. In FD mice, expression levels of AMPA receptor 1 and PSD-95 in both regions were reduced compared with control mice. Moreover, NMDA receptor subunit 2B and GAD65/67 were significantly downregulated in the frontal cortex of prenatal FD mice compared with the controls. Collectively, these findings suggest that prenatal FD causes behavioral deficits together with a reduction in synaptic protein levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misato Yoshikawa
- School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University, 1-6-1 Nishigawara, Naka-ku, Okayama 703-8516, Japan.
| | - Katsuya Suemaru
- School of Pharmacy, Shujitsu University, 1-6-1 Nishigawara, Naka-ku, Okayama 703-8516, Japan.
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14
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Wu Z, Yu W, Song Y, Zhao P. General anaesthesia, the developing brain, and cerebral white matter alterations: a narrative review. Br J Anaesth 2023; 131:1022-1029. [PMID: 37833128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential neurotoxic impact of anaesthetic agents has been the subject of sustained debate and continuing research. White matter, which comprises more than half of the brain volume and largely consists of myelinated axonal bundles, is critical for communication between diverse brain regions and for supporting neurobehavioural function. Evidence points to a correlation between exposure to anaesthesia and white matter alterations, which might underpin the ensuing cognitive and behavioural abnormalities. This review summarises the neuropathological and neuroimaging findings related to anaesthesia-induced white matter alterations in the developing brain. Future research is required to understand the effects of anaesthesia exposure on white matter development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Wu
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Weiwei Yu
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanhong Song
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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15
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Pull K, Folk R, Kang J, Jackson S, Gusek B, Esfandiarei M, Jadavji NM. Impact of maternal dietary folic acid or choline dietary deficiencies on vascular function in young and middle-aged female mouse offspring after ischemic stroke. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H1354-H1359. [PMID: 37801048 PMCID: PMC10908400 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00502.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Adequate maternal dietary levels of one-carbon metabolites, such as folic acid and choline, play an important role in the closure of the neural tube in utero; however, the impact of deficiencies in one-carbon (1C) metabolism on offspring neurological function after birth remain undefined. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of maternal 1C nutritional deficiencies on cerebral and peripheral blood flow after ischemic stroke in adult female offspring. In this study, female mice were placed on either control (CD)-, folic acid (FADD)-, or choline (ChDD)-deficient diets before pregnancy. Female offspring were weaned onto a CD for the duration of the study. Ischemic stroke was induced in offspring and after 6 wk cerebral and peripheral blood flow velocity was measured using ultrasound imaging. Our data showed that 11.5-mo-old female offspring from ChDD mothers had reduced blood flow in the posterior cerebral artery compared with controls. In peripheral blood flow velocity measurements, we report an aging effect. These results emphasize the importance of maternal 1C diet in early life neuro-programming on long-term vasculature health.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that a maternal dietary deficiency in one-carbon (1C) metabolites result in reduced cerebral blood flow in adult female offspring after ischemic stroke, but the long-term effects are not present. This result points to the key role of the maternal diet in early life neuroprogramming, while emphasizing its effects on both fetal development and long-term cerebrovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey Pull
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
| | - Robert Folk
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
| | - Jeemin Kang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
| | - Shaley Jackson
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
| | - Brikena Gusek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
| | - Mitra Esfandiarei
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, United States
- Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nafisa M Jadavji
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Pérez-Carreón K, Martínez LM, Videa M, Cruz-Angeles J, Gómez J, Ramírez E. Effect of Basic Amino Acids on Folic Acid Solubility. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2544. [PMID: 38004524 PMCID: PMC10675447 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15112544] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
To prevent neural tube defects and other cardiovascular diseases in newborns, folic acid (FA) is recommended in pregnant women. A daily dose of 600 µg FA consumption is widely prescribed for women during pregnancy and 400 µg for women with childbearing potential. FA is a class IV compound according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) due to its low permeability (1.7 × 10-6 cm/s) and low solubility (1.6 mg/L); therefore, it must be administered via a formulation that enhances its solubility. Studies reported in the literature have proved that co-amorphization and salt formation of a poorly soluble drug with amino acids (AA) can significantly increase its solubility. Although arginine has been used with FA as a supplement, there is no information on the effect of basic AA (arginine and lysine) on the physical and chemical properties of FA-AA binary formulations. The present study implemented a conductimetric titration methodology to find the effective molar ratio to maximize FA solubility. The results showed that a 1:2.5 FA:AA molar ratio maximized solubility for arginine and lysine. Binary formulations were prepared using different methods, which led to an amorphous system confirmed by the presence of a glass transition, broad FTIR bands, and the absence of an X-ray diffraction pattern. Results of FA:AA (1:2.5) solubility increased in the range of 5500-6000 times compared with pure FA. In addition to solubility enhancement, the binary systems presented morphological properties that depend on the preparation method and whose consideration could be strategic for scaling purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luz María Martínez
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur. Monterrey N.L., Monterrey 64849, Mexico
| | - Marcelo Videa
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur. Monterrey N.L., Monterrey 64849, Mexico
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17
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Ren Q, Zhang G, Yan R, Zhou D, Huang L, Zhang Q, Li W, Huang G, Li Z, Yan J. SAM/SAH Mediates Parental Folate Deficiency-Induced Neural Cell Apoptosis in Neonatal Rat Offspring: The Expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase-3. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14508. [PMID: 37833955 PMCID: PMC10573037 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914508] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Research demonstrated that folate deficiency in either the mother or father could impact the biological functions of the offspring's of neural cells. Folate deficiency can also impair the methionine cycle, thus contributing to the conversion of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), which could potentially cause damage to the central nervous system. The study focused on the effect of parental folate deficiency on neural cell apoptosis in offspring neonatal rats and whether it is mediated by the levels of SAM and SAH in brains. The experimental design was conducted by feeding female and male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with either folate-deficient or folate-normal diets, sacrificing the offspring within 24 h and isolating their brain tissue. Rats were divided into four groups: the maternal-folate-deficient and paternal-folate-deficient (D-D) group; the maternal-folate-deficient and paternal-folate-normal (D-N) group; the maternal-folate-normal and paternal-folate-deficient (N-D) group; and the maternal-folate-normal and paternal-folate-normal (N-N) group. There was down-regulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, up-regulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and Caspase-3 expression of neural cells, and pathological changes in the brain ultrastructure, as well as decreased SAM levels, increased SAH levels, and a decreased SAM/SAH ratio in the rat fetal brain via parental folate deficiency. In conclusion, parental folate deficiency could induce the apoptosis of neural cells in neonatal offspring rats, while biparental folate deficiency had the greatest effect on offspring, and the unilateral effect was greater in mothers than in fathers. This process may be mediated by the levels of SAM and SAH in the rat fetal brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghan Ren
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Guoquan Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Ruiting Yan
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Dezheng Zhou
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Li Huang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Qianwen Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Guowei Huang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Zhenshu Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China; (Q.R.); (G.Z.); (R.Y.); (D.Z.); (L.H.); (Q.Z.); (W.L.); (G.H.)
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jing Yan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin 300070, China
- Department of Social Medicine and Health Administration, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
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18
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Wang VA, Leung M, Modest AM, Zilli Vieira CL, Hacker MR, Schwartz J, Coull BA, Koutrakis P, Papatheodorou S. Associations of solar activity and related exposures with fetal growth. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 885:163862. [PMID: 37142041 PMCID: PMC10330664 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Solar and geomagnetic activity have been shown to suppress melatonin and to degrade folate levels, important hormones for fetal development. We examined whether solar and geomagnetic activity were associated with fetal growth. METHODS We included 9573 singleton births with 26,879 routine ultrasounds at an academic medical center in Eastern Massachusetts from 2011 through 2016. Sunspot number and Kp index were obtained from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Three exposure windows were considered, including the first 16 weeks of pregnancy, one month prior to fetal growth measurement, and conception until fetal growth measurement (cumulative). Ultrasound scans from which we extracted biparietal diameter, head circumference, femur length, and abdominal circumference measurements were categorized as anatomic (<24 weeks' gestation) or growth scans (≥24 weeks' gestation) based on clinical practice. Ultrasound parameters and birth weight were standardized, and linear mixed models adjusted for long-term trends were fitted. RESULTS Prenatal exposures were positively associated with larger head parameters measured <24 weeks' gestation, negatively associated with smaller fetal parameters measured ≥24 weeks' gestation, and not associated with birth weight. The strongest associations were observed for cumulative exposure in growth scans, where an interquartile range increase in sunspot number (32.87 sunspots) was associated with a -0.17 (95 % CI: -0.26, -0.08), -0.25 (-0.36, -0.15), and -0.13 (95 % CI: -0.23, -0.03) difference in mean biparietal diameter, head circumference, and femur length z-score, respectively. An interquartile range increase in cumulative Kp index (0.49) was associated with a -0.11 (95 % CI: -0.22, -0.01) and -0.11 (95 % CI: -0.20, -0.02) difference in mean head circumference and abdominal circumference z-score, respectively, in growth scans. CONCLUSIONS Solar and geomagnetic activity were associated with fetal growth. Future studies are needed to better understand the impact of these natural phenomena on clinical endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica A Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Leung
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna M Modest
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carolina L Zilli Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michele R Hacker
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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19
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Hunter S, Flaten E, Petersen C, Gervain J, Werker JF, Trainor LJ, Finlay BB. Babies, bugs and brains: How the early microbiome associates with infant brain and behavior development. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288689. [PMID: 37556397 PMCID: PMC10411758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence is demonstrating the connection between the microbiota gut-brain axis and neurodevelopment. Microbiota colonization occurs before the maturation of many neural systems and is linked to brain health. Because of this it has been hypothesized that the early microbiome interactions along the gut-brain axis evolved to promote advanced cognitive functions and behaviors. Here, we performed a pilot study with a multidisciplinary approach to test if the microbiota composition of infants is associated with measures of early cognitive development, in particular neural rhythm tracking; language (forward speech) versus non-language (backwards speech) discrimination; and social joint attention. Fecal samples were collected from 56 infants between four and six months of age and sequenced by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Of these, 44 performed the behavioral Point and Gaze test to measure joint attention. Infants were tested on either language discrimination using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS; 25 infants had usable data) or neural rhythm tracking using electroencephalogram (EEG; 15 had usable data). Infants who succeeded at the Point and Gaze test tended to have increased Actinobacteria and reduced Firmicutes at the phylum level; and an increase in Bifidobacterium and Eggerthella along with a reduction in Hungatella and Streptococcus at the genus level. Measurements of neural rhythm tracking associated negatively to the abundance of Bifidobacterium and positively to the abundance of Clostridium and Enterococcus for the bacterial abundances, and associated positively to metabolic pathways that can influence neurodevelopment, including branched chain amino acid biosynthesis and pentose phosphate pathways. No associations were found for the fNIRS language discrimination measurements. Although the tests were underpowered due to the small pilot sample sizes, potential associations were identified between the microbiome and measurements of early cognitive development that are worth exploring further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hunter
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Erica Flaten
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charisse Petersen
- Department of Pediatrics, BC Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Judit Gervain
- University of Padua, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Padua, Italy
- University of Padua, Padova Neuroscience Center, Padua, Italy
- Université Paris Cité & CNRS, Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center, Paris, France
| | - Janet F. Werker
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laurel J. Trainor
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brett B. Finlay
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Thilakaratne R, Lin PID, Rifas-Shiman SL, Wright RO, Hubbard A, Hivert MF, Bellinger D, Oken E, Cardenas A. Mixtures of Metals and Micronutrients in Early Pregnancy and Cognition in Early and Mid-Childhood: Findings from the Project Viva Cohort. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:87008. [PMID: 37585348 PMCID: PMC10431487 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The developing fetal brain is sensitive to many environmental exposures. However, the independent and joint effects of prenatal exposure to metals and micronutrients on child cognition are not well understood. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to evaluate associations of first-trimester (∼ 10 wk) maternal erythrocyte concentrations of mixtures of nonessential and essential metals and micronutrients with early (∼ 3 y) and mid-childhood (∼ 8 y) cognitive test scores in Project Viva, a prebirth cohort in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. METHODS We measured concentrations of five essential metals (Cu, Mg, Mn, Se, Zn) and two micronutrients (vitamin B12 and folate), together termed the "nutrient mixture," as well as six nonessential metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cs, Hg, Pb), together termed the "neurotoxic mixture," in first-trimester (∼ 10 wk) maternal erythrocytes (metals) or plasma (micronutrients). We assessed visual-motor function and receptive vocabulary in early childhood (∼ 3 y), and visual-motor function, visual memory, and fluid and crystallized intelligence in mid-childhood (∼ 8 y). We employed adjusted quantile g-computation and linear regression to estimate mixture and individual component associations, respectively. RESULTS Analyses included 900 mother-child pairs (74% college graduates; 52% male children). In mixture analyses, a quartile increase in the nutrient mixture was associated with a mean difference in early childhood receptive vocabulary score of 1.58 points [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06, 3.10], driven by Zn and Se. A quartile increase in the neurotoxic mixture was associated with a mean difference in mid-childhood visual-motor score of - 3.01 points (95% CI: - 5.55 , - 0.47 ), driven by Ba and Cs. Linear regressions supported quantile g-computation findings for mixture component contributions. DISCUSSION Maternal circulating concentrations of several essential (Zn and Se) and nonessential (Ba and Cs) metals were associated with some domains of child cognition. In this folate-replete cohort, first-trimester circulating concentrations of known neurotoxic metals, such as Pb, were not associated with child cognition. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruwan Thilakaratne
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Pi-I D Lin
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert O Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Alan Hubbard
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - David Bellinger
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily Oken
- Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andres Cardenas
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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21
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Mortaji N, Krzeczkowski J, Atkinson S, Amani B, Schmidt LA, Van Lieshout RJ. Early neurodevelopment in the offspring of women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of a nutrition + exercise intervention on the cognitive development of 12-month-olds. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2023; 14:532-539. [PMID: 37448202 DOI: 10.1017/s204017442300020x] [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] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Experimental data on the effects of lifestyle interventions on fetal neurodevelopment in humans remain scarce. This study assessed the impact of a pregnancy nutrition+exercise intervention on offspring neurodevelopment at 12 months of age. The Be Healthy in Pregnancy (BHIP) randomized controlled trial (RCT) randomly assigned pregnant persons with stratification by site and body mass index (BMI) to bi-weekly nutrition counselling and high dairy protein diet, walking goal of 10,000 steps/day plus usual prenatal care (UPC; intervention group) or UPC alone (control group). This study examined a subset of these mothers (> 18 years, singleton pregnancy, BMI <40 kg/m2, and enrolled by ≤12 weeks gestation) and their infants (intervention = 42, control = 32), assessing cognition, language, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning at 12 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development third edition (BSID-III) as the outcome measure. We also examined if maternal factors (prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain (GWG)) moderated associations. Expressive language (MD = 9.62, 95% CI = (9.05-10.18), p = 0.03, ƞ2p = 0.07) and general adaptive composite (GAC) scores (MD = 103.97, 95% CI = (100.31-107.63), p = 0.04, ƞ2p = 0.06) were higher in infants of mothers in the intervention group. Effect sizes were medium. However, mean cognitive, receptive language, motor, and social-emotional scale scores did not differ between groups. A structured and monitored nutrition+exercise intervention during pregnancy led to improved expressive language and general adaptive behavior in 12-month-olds, but not cognitive, receptive language, motor, or socioemotional functioning. While these experimental data are promising, further research is needed to determine the clinical utility of nutrition+exercise interventions for optimizing infant neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Mortaji
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | | | - Bahar Amani
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Louis A Schmidt
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Ryan J Van Lieshout
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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22
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Iglesias-Vázquez L, Suliburska J, Kocyłowski R, Bakinowska E, Arija V. Nutrient Intake among Pregnant Women in Spain and Poland: A Comparative Analysis. Nutrients 2023; 15:3225. [PMID: 37513644 PMCID: PMC10386542 DOI: 10.3390/nu15143225] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal nutrition plays a crucial role in maternal and child health. This study aims to compare nutrient intake and its adequacy to recommendations among pregnant women in Spain and Poland. The ECLIPSES study in Spain utilized a self-administered food frequency questionnaire, while the PREDISH study in Poland employed a 3-day interview method. We assessed energy and nutrient intake against recommended dietary allowances. The analysis included 583 participants in the first trimester and 465 participants in the third trimester from both countries. Our findings revealed insufficient intake of iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B9 among pregnant women in both Spain and Poland. Significant differences were observed in the intake of energy, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins D, E, C, B6, B9, and B12. Notably, 81.6% and 21.5% of participants did not meet the recommended minimum carbohydrate intake, while 99.8% and 43.8% exceeded the limit for total fat, particularly monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Tailored dietary guidance based on regional differences is crucial for pregnant women. Although variations in dietary intake were observed, both Spain and Poland faced similar risks of nutritional deficiencies, particularly for iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B9. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced efforts in preventing these deficiencies and promoting optimal prenatal nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Iglesias-Vázquez
- Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM) Research Group, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Reus, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Spain
| | - Joanna Suliburska
- Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Ewa Bakinowska
- Institute of Mathematics, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Victoria Arija
- Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM) Research Group, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Reus, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Spain
- Collaborative Research Group on Lifestyles, Nutrition, and Smoking (CENIT), Tarragona-Reus Research Support Unit, IDIAP Jordi Gol, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
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23
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Pereira A, Adekunle RD, Zaman M, Wan MJ. Association Between Vitamin Deficiencies and Ophthalmological Conditions. Clin Ophthalmol 2023; 17:2045-2062. [PMID: 37489231 PMCID: PMC10363387 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s401262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin deficiencies can have adverse effects on health, including on the visual system. The ocular manifestations of a vitamin deficiency are related to the underlying biochemical function of the particular nutrient. While vitamin deficiencies are not common in developed counties, they are still prevalent in parts of the developing world and in specific, vulnerable populations. Vitamin deficiencies can cause or contribute to many ophthalmological conditions and eye diseases may even be the first presenting finding of a vitamin deficiency. As such, it is important for ophthalmologists to be aware of the ocular manifestations of vitamin deficiencies, especially given that the complications can be severe and effectively treated if identified early. This review summarizes the literature on the main vitamins known to have characteristic ocular manifestations: vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, B12, C, D, E and K. The function, epidemiology, manifestations, workup, and management of each vitamin is discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Pereira
- University of Toronto Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Damilola Adekunle
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Michele Zaman
- Queen’s School of Medicine, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael J Wan
- University of Toronto Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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24
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Nishigori H, Nishigori T, Obara T, Suzuki T, Mori M, Imaizumi K, Murata T, Kyozuka H, Ogata Y, Sato A, Shinoki K, Yasumura S, Hosoya M, Hashimoto K, Fujimori K. Prenatal folic acid supplement/dietary folate and cognitive development in 4-year-old offspring from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9541. [PMID: 37308528 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36484-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the association between maternal prenatal folic acid supplement use/dietary folate intake and cognitive development in 4-year-old offspring (N = 3445) using data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Cognitive development was evaluated using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001. Multiple regression analysis revealed that offspring of mothers who started using folic acid supplements pre-conception had a significantly higher language-social developmental quotient (DQ) (partial regression coefficient 1.981, 95% confidence interval 0.091 to 3.872) than offspring of mothers who did not use such supplements at any time throughout their pregnancy (non-users). Offspring of mothers who started using folic acid supplements within 12 weeks of gestation had a significantly higher cognitive-adaptive (1.489, 0.312 to 2.667) and language-social (1.873, 0.586 to 3.159) DQ than offspring of non-users. Regarding daily dietary folate intake from preconception to early pregnancy, multiple regression analysis revealed that there was no significant association with any DQ area in the 200 to < 400 µg and the ≥ 400 µg groups compared with the < 200 µg group. Maternal prenatal folic acid supplementation starting within 12 weeks of gestation (but not adequate dietary folate intake from preconception to early pregnancy) is positively associated with cognitive development in 4-year-old offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Nishigori
- Department of Development and Environmental Medicine, Fukushima Medical Center for Children and Women, Fukushima Medical University Graduate School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960‑1295, Japan.
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Toshie Nishigori
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Taku Obara
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Taeko Suzuki
- Department of Development and Environmental Medicine, Fukushima Medical Center for Children and Women, Fukushima Medical University Graduate School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960‑1295, Japan
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Maternal Nursing and Midwifery, Fukushima Medical University School of Nursing, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Maternal Nursing, Fukushima Medical University Graduate School of Nursing, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Miyuki Mori
- Department of Development and Environmental Medicine, Fukushima Medical Center for Children and Women, Fukushima Medical University Graduate School of Medicine, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960‑1295, Japan
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Maternal Nursing and Midwifery, Fukushima Medical University School of Nursing, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Maternal Nursing, Fukushima Medical University Graduate School of Nursing, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Karin Imaizumi
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Murata
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hyo Kyozuka
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yuka Ogata
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akiko Sato
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kosei Shinoki
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Seiji Yasumura
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Mitsuaki Hosoya
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Koichi Hashimoto
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Keiya Fujimori
- Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environmental and Children's Study, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
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25
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Irvine N, England-Mason G, Field CJ, Letourneau N, Bell RC, Giesbrecht GF, Kinniburgh DW, MacDonald AM, Martin JW, Dewey D. Associations between maternal folate status and choline intake during pregnancy and neurodevelopment at 3-4 years of age in the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2023; 14:402-414. [PMID: 36939090 PMCID: PMC10202845 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174423000041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Folate and choline are methyl donor nutrients that may play a role in fetal brain development. Animal studies have reported that prenatal folate and choline supplementation are associated with better cognitive outcomes in offspring and that these nutrients may interact and affect brain development. Human studies that have investigated associations between maternal prenatal folate or choline levels and neurodevelopmental outcomes have reported contradictory findings and no human studies have examined the potential interactive effect of folate and choline on children's neurodevelopment. During the second trimester of pregnancy, maternal red blood cell folate was measured from blood samples and choline intake was estimated using a 24-h dietary recall in 309 women in the APrON cohort. At 3-5 years of age, their children's neurodevelopment was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence - Fourth EditionCND, NEPSY-II language and memory subtests, four behavioral executive function tasks, and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition. Adjusted regressions revealed no associations between maternal folate and choline levels during pregnancy and most of the child outcomes. On the Dimensional Change Card Sort, an executive function task, there was an interaction effect; at high levels of choline intake (i.e., 1 SD above the mean; 223.03 mg/day), higher maternal folate status was associated with decreased odds of receiving a passing score (β = -0.44; 95%CI -0.81, -0.06). In conclusion, maternal folate status and choline intake during the second trimester of pregnancy were not associated with children's intelligence, language, memory, or motor outcomes at 3-4 years of age; however, their interaction may have an influence children's executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Irvine
- Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gillian England-Mason
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine J Field
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Letourneau
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rhonda C Bell
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gerald F Giesbrecht
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David W Kinniburgh
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amy M MacDonald
- Alberta Centre for Toxicology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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26
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Ulziikhuu B, Gombojav E, Banzrai C, Batsukh S, Enkhtuya E, Boldbaatar B, Bellinger DC, Lanphear BP, McCandless LC, Nepomnaschy P, Salvante K, Weinberg J, Allen RW. Who benefits most from a prenatal HEPA filter air cleaner intervention on childhood cognitive development? The UGAAR randomized controlled trial. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:115991. [PMID: 37121346 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution exposure during pregnancy affects children's brain function. Maternal stress and nutrition, socioeconomic status, and the child's sex may modify this relationship. OBJECTIVE To identify characteristics of children with the largest increases in full-scale IQ (FSIQ) after their mothers used HEPA filter air cleaners during pregnancy. METHODS In this randomized controlled trial we randomly assigned women to receive 1-2 air cleaners or no air cleaners during pregnancy. We analyzed maternal hair samples for cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). When the children were 48 months old, we measured FSIQ with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. We evaluated ten potential modifiers of the intervention-FSIQ relationship using interaction terms in separate regression models. To account for correlations between modifiers, we also used a single regression model containing main effects and intervention x modifier terms for all potential modifiers. RESULTS Among 242 mother-child dyads with complete data, the intervention was associated with a 2.3-point increase (95% CI: -1.5, 6.0 points) in mean FSIQ. The intervention improved mean FSIQ among children of mothers in the bottom (5.4 points; 95% CI: -0.8, 11.5) and top (6.1 points; 95% CI: 0.5, 11.8) cortisol tertiles, but not among those whose mothers were in the middle tertile. The largest between-group difference in the intervention's effect was a 7.5-point (95% CI: -0.7, 15.7) larger increase in mean FSIQ among children whose mothers did not take vitamins than among children whose mothers did take vitamins (interaction p-value = 0.07). We also observed larger benefits among children whose mothers did not complete university, and those with lower hair DHEA concentrations, hair cortisol concentrations outside the middle tertile, or more perceived stress. CONCLUSION The benefits of reducing air pollution during pregnancy on brain development may be greatest for children whose mothers who do not take vitamins, experience more stress, or have less education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sarangerel Batsukh
- Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Enkhtuul Enkhtuya
- Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joanne Weinberg
- University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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27
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Hoyt AT, Wilkinson AV, Langlois PH, Galeener CA, Ranjit N, Dabelea DM, Moore BF. Prenatal Exposure to Tobacco and Childhood Cognition and Behavior: Effect Modification by Maternal Folate Intake and Breastfeeding Duration. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023:10.1007/s10578-023-01524-x. [PMID: 37029873 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
In this exploratory analysis, we assessed whether nutrition modified the association between prenatal exposure to tobacco and childhood cognition/behavior among 366 Colorado-based mothers and their offspring (born ≥ 37 weeks with birthweights ≥ 2500 g). Interaction by folate (≥ 1074 µg/day) and breastfeeding (≥ 5 months) was assessed by including a product term with cotinine (≥ limit of detection [LOD]) in regression models for NIH Toolbox and Child Behavior Checklist T-scores. Main effects were observed between cotinine ≥ LOD and inhibitory control (- 3.2; 95% CI: - 6.8, 0.3), folate < 1074 µg/day and anxious/depressed symptoms (1.1; 95% CI: 0.1, 2.1), and breastfeeding < 5 months and receptive language (- 4.3; 95% CI: - 8.5, - 0.02), though these findings would not survive Bonferroni correction. Breastfeeding modified the tobacco-behavior associations. Sleep (3.8; 95% CI: 0.5, 7.1; interaction p-value = 0.02), depressive (4.6; 95% CI: 1.0, 8.2; interaction p-value = 0.01) and total problems (5.8; 95% CI: - 0.7, 12.4; interaction p-value = 0.09) were observed among tobacco-exposed offspring who breastfed > 5 months, but not for shorter durations. Our findings support the need for smoking cessation campaigns throughout pregnancy and throughout the postpartum period breastfeeding to reduce neurobehavioral risks in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne T Hoyt
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health - Austin Regional Campus, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Anna V Wilkinson
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health - Austin Regional Campus, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Peter H Langlois
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health - Austin Regional Campus, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Carol A Galeener
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, Fleming Center Health for Care Management Houston, UTHealth School of Public Health- Houston Regional Campus, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nalini Ranjit
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health - Austin Regional Campus, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Dana M Dabelea
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brianna F Moore
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health - Austin Regional Campus, Austin, TX, USA.
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA.
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 1890 N Revere Ct, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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28
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Arutjunyan AV, Milyutina YP, Shcherbitskaia AD, Kerkeshko GO, Zalozniaia IV. Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in the Effects of Maternal Hyperhomocysteinemia on the Functional State of Placenta and Nervous System Plasticity in the Offspring. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:435-456. [PMID: 37080931 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923040016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
According to modern view, susceptibility to diseases, specifically to cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders, can form during embryonic development. Adverse factors affecting mother during the pregnancy increase the risk of developing pathologies. Despite the association between elevated maternal blood homocysteine (Hcy) and fetal brain impairments, as well as cognitive deficits in the offspring, the role of brain plasticity in the development of these pathologies remains poorly studied. Here, we review the data on the negative impact of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on the neural plasticity, in particular, its possible influence on the offspring brain plasticity through epigenetic mechanisms, such as changes in intracellular methylation potential, activity of DNA methyltransferases, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA expression in brain cells. Since placenta plays a key role in the transport of nutrients and transmission of signals from mother to fetus, its dysfunction due to aberrant epigenetic regulation can affect the development of fetal CNS. The review also presents the data on the impact of maternal HHcy on the epigenetic regulation in the placenta. The data presented in the review are not only interesting from purely scientific point of view, but can help in understanding the role of HHcy and epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of diseases, such as pregnancy pathologies resulting in the delayed development of fetal brain, cognitive impairments in the offspring during childhood, and neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders later in life, as well as in the search for approaches for their prevention using neuroprotectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Arutjunyan
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
- St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, St. Petersburg, 197110, Russia
| | - Yulia P Milyutina
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, St. Petersburg, 194100, Russia
| | - Anastasia D Shcherbitskaia
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 194223, Russia
| | - Gleb O Kerkeshko
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, St. Petersburg, 197110, Russia
| | - Irina V Zalozniaia
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
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Lye P, Bloise E, Matthews SG. Effects of bacterial and viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters in brain endothelial cells of the developing human blood-brain barrier. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:8. [PMID: 36721242 PMCID: PMC9887585 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00409-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters, P-glycoprotein (P-gp, encoded by ABCB1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) contribute to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), protecting the brain from drug exposure. The impact of infection on MDR in the developing human BBB remains to be determined. We hypothesized that exposure to bacterial and viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) modify MDR expression and activity in human fetal brain endothelial cells (hfBECs) isolated from early and mid-gestation brain microvessels. METHODS We modelled infection (4 h and 24 h) using the bacterial PAMP, lipopolysaccharide (LPS; a toll-like receptor [TLR]-4 ligand) or the viral PAMPs, polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C; TLR-3 ligand) and single-stranded RNA (ssRNA; TLR-7/8 ligand). mRNA expression was assessed by qPCR, whereas protein expression was assessed by Western blot or immunofluorescence. P-gp and BCRP activity was evaluated by Calcein-AM and Chlorin-6 assays. RESULTS TLRs-3,4 and 8 were expressed by the isolated hfBECs. Infection mimics induced specific pro-inflammatory responses as well as changes in P-gp/ABCB1 or BCRP/ABCG2 expression (P < 0.05). LPS and ssRNA significantly decreased P-gp activity at 4 and 24 h in early and mid-gestation (P < 0.03-P < 0.001), but significantly increased BCRP activity in hfBECs in a dose-dependent pattern (P < 0.05-P < 0.002). In contrast, Poly-IC significantly decreased P-gp activity after 4 h in early (P < 0.01) and mid gestation (P < 0.04), but not 24 h, and had no overall effect on BCRP activity, though BCRP activity was increased with the highest dose at 24 h in mid-gestation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Infectious PAMPs significantly modify the expression and function of MDR transporters in hfBECs, though effects are PAMP-, time- and dose-specific. In conclusion, bacterial and viral infections during pregnancy likely have profound effects on exposure of the fetal brain to physiological and pharmacological substrates of P-gp and BCRP, potentially leading to altered trajectories of fetal brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phetcharawan Lye
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building Room 3207, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Enrrico Bloise
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, N3-292, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Stephen G Matthews
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building Room 3207, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Folate in maternal rheumatoid arthritis-filial autism spectrum disorder continuum. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 115:29-35. [PMID: 36402436 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.11.004] [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: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects women three times more than men. Epidemiological studies found that the incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurological and developmental disorder, in children born to mothers suffering from RA is higher compared with the control population. Considering that the pathogenesis of ASD could be traced back to pregnancy and in uterine conditions, and the evidence of reduced folate levels in the brain of ASD-affected children, we aimed to study the role of folate, as an important nutritional factor during pregnancy, in associating maternal RA to ASD development in the offspring. Folate balance during RA could be influenced twice, initially during the immune activation associated with disease onset, and later during the treatment with anti-folate drugs, with a potential consequence of folate deficiency. Maternal folate deficiency during pregnancy could increase homocysteine levels, oxidative stress, and global DNA hypomethylation, all known risk factors in ASD pathogenesis. These effects could be intensified by genetic polymorphisms in the folate system, which were also found as genetic risk factors for both RA and ASD. The available evidence suggests that folate level as an important factor during RA, pregnancy and ASD could have pathological and therapeutical significance and should be carefully monitored and investigated in the RA-pregnancy-ASD axis.
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31
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Maternal folic acid supplement use/dietary folate intake from preconception to early pregnancy and neurodevelopment in 2-year-old offspring: the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Br J Nutr 2022; 128:2480-2489. [PMID: 35115066 DOI: 10.1017/s000711452200037x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the association between maternal prenatal folic acid supplementation/dietary folate intake and motor and cognitive development in 2-year-old offspring using data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study database. Neurodevelopment of 2-year-old offspring were evaluated using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001. In total, data of 3839 offspring were analysed. For folic acid supplementation, a multiple regression analysis showed that offspring of mothers who started using folic acid supplements before conception had a significantly lower developmental quotient (DQ) in the postural-motor DQ area than offspring of mothers who did not use them at any time throughout their pregnancy (partial regression coefficient (B) -2·596, 95 % CI -4·738, -0·455). Regarding daily dietary folate intake from preconception to early pregnancy, a multiple regression analysis showed that the group with ≥ 200 µg had a significantly higher DQ in the language-social area than the group with <200 µg. The DQ was higher in the ≥ 400 µg group (B 2·532, 95 % CI 0·201, 4·863) than the 200 to <400 µg group (B 1·437, 95 % CI 0·215, 2·660). In conclusion, our study showed that maternal adequate dietary folate intake from preconception to early pregnancy has a beneficial association with verbal cognition development in 2-year-old offspring. On the other hand, mothers who started using folic acid supplements before conception had an inverse association with motor development in 2-year-old offspring. There were no details on the amount of folic acid in the supplements used and frequency of use. Therefore, further studies are required.
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Abstract
This research evaluates the prevalence of inadequate folate status in early pregnancy, the pattern of prenatal folic acid (FA) supplementation and associated factors in Spanish pregnant women from the ECLIPSES study, which included 791 participants prior gestational week 12. A cross-sectional evaluation of erythrocyte folate levels was performed at recruitment and used to calculate the prevalence of folate deficiency (erythrocyte folate < 340 nmol/l) and insufficiency (erythrocyte folate < 906 nmol/l). Sociodemographic and lifestyle data as well as information on prenatal FA supplementation were recorded. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. The prevalence of folate deficiency and insufficiency were 9·6 % and 86·5 %, respectively. Most of women used prenatal FA supplements, but only 6·3 % did so as recommended. Supplementation with FA during the periconceptional period abolished folate deficiency and reduced folate insufficiency. Prenatal FA supplementation with ≥1000 µg/d in periconceptional time and pregnancy planning increased erythrocyte folate levels. The main risk factor for folate insufficiency in early pregnancy was getting prenatal FA supplementation out of the periconceptional time (OR 3·32, 95 % CI 1·02, 15·36), while for folate deficiency they were young age (OR 2·02, 95 % CI 1·05, 3·99), and smoking (OR 2·39, 95 % CI 1·30, 4·37). In addition, social and ethnic differences according to folate status were also identified. As conclusion, periconceptional FA use is crucial for achieving optimal folate levels in early pregnancy. Pregnancy planning should focus on young women, smokers, those with low consumption of folate-rich foods, low socio-economic status or from ethnic minorities.
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Heland S, Fields N, Ellery SJ, Fahey M, Palmer KR. The role of nutrients in human neurodevelopment and their potential to prevent neurodevelopmental adversity. Front Nutr 2022; 9:992120. [PMID: 36483929 PMCID: PMC9722743 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.992120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Nutritional deficits or excesses affect a huge proportion of pregnant women worldwide. Maternal nutrition has a significant influence on the fetal environment and can dramatically impact fetal brain development. This paper reviews current nutritional supplements that can be used to optimise fetal neurodevelopment and prevent neurodevelopmental morbidities, including folate, iodine, vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin D. Interestingly, while correcting nutritional deficits can prevent neurodevelopmental adversity, overcorrecting them can in some cases be detrimental, so care needs to be taken when recommending supplementation in pregnancy. The potential benefits of using nutrition to prevent neurodiversity is shown by promising nutraceuticals, sulforaphane and creatine, both currently under investigation. They have the potential to promote improved neurodevelopmental outcomes through mitigation of pathological processes, including hypoxia, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Neurodevelopment is a complex process and whilst the role of micronutrients and macronutrients on the developing fetal brain is not completely understood, this review highlights the key findings thus far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Heland
- Monash Women’s and Newborn, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Neville Fields
- Monash Women’s and Newborn, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Stacey Joan Ellery
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Fahey
- Paediatric Neurology Unit, Monash Children’s Hospital, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kirsten Rebecca Palmer
- Monash Women’s and Newborn, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Compañ-Gabucio LM, Torres-Collado L, Garcia-de la Hera M, Fernández-Somoano A, Tardón A, Julvez J, Sunyer J, Rebagliato M, Murcia M, Ibarluzea J, Santa-Marina L, Vioque J. Association between the Use of Folic Acid Supplements during Pregnancy and Children's Cognitive Function at 7-9 Years of Age in the INMA Cohort Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12123. [PMID: 36231425 PMCID: PMC9566194 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the association between maternal low (<400 μg/day) or high (≥1000 μg/day) folic acid supplements (FAs) use during pregnancy and the attentional function and working memory in boys and girls at age 7-9. A longitudinal analysis based on 1609 mother-child pairs from the Spanish Infancia y Medio Ambiente Project was carried out. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that, compared to the recommended FAs use, a low FAs use during the second period of pregnancy was associated with a lower alertness in all children (β = 18.70 ms; 95% CI: 7.51; 29.89) and in girls (β = 30.01 ms; 95% CI: 12.96; 47.01), and with a lower N-back Task performance in boys (d' number 2-back (β = -0.25; 95% CI: -0.49; 0.01)). A high FAs use throughout the two periods of pregnancy was associated with a better N-back Task performance only in girls (d' number 2-back (β = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.01; 0.56) and d' number 3-back (β = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.08; 0.56)). The maternal use of FAs beyond the periconceptional period may affect children's attentional function and working memory at age 7-9 differently for boys and girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura María Compañ-Gabucio
- Unidad de Epidemiología de la Nutrición (EPINUT), Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03550 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Torres-Collado
- Unidad de Epidemiología de la Nutrición (EPINUT), Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03550 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuela Garcia-de la Hera
- Unidad de Epidemiología de la Nutrición (EPINUT), Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03550 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Fernández-Somoano
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología Del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Roma Avenue s/n, 33001 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Adonina Tardón
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología Del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Roma Avenue s/n, 33001 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jordi Julvez
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, 43204 Reus, Spain
- ISGlobal, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, 43204 Reus, Spain
- ISGlobal, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marisa Rebagliato
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), FISABIO—Public Health, FISABIO—Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46015 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castellon de la Plana, Spain
| | - Mario Murcia
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), FISABIO—Public Health, FISABIO—Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, 46015 Valencia, Spain
- Servicio de Análisis de Sistemas de Información Sanitaria, Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Ibarluzea
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Group of Environmental Epidemiology, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- Ministry of Health of the Basque Government, Sub-Directorate for Public Health and Addictions of Gipuzkoa, 20013 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- School of Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Loreto Santa-Marina
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Group of Environmental Epidemiology, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- Ministry of Health of the Basque Government, Sub-Directorate for Public Health and Addictions of Gipuzkoa, 20013 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jesús Vioque
- Unidad de Epidemiología de la Nutrición (EPINUT), Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03550 Alicante, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), 03010 Alicante, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain
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Schirmbeck GH, Sizonenko S, Sanches EF. Neuroprotective Role of Lactoferrin during Early Brain Development and Injury through Lifespan. Nutrients 2022; 14:2923. [PMID: 35889882 PMCID: PMC9322498 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Early adverse fetal environments can significantly disturb central nervous system (CNS) development and subsequently alter brain maturation. Nutritional status is a major variable to be considered during development and increasing evidence links neonate and preterm infant impaired brain growth with neurological and psychiatric diseases in adulthood. Breastfeeding is one of the main components required for healthy newborn development due to the many "constitutive" elements breastmilk contains. Maternal intake of specific nutrients during lactation may alter milk composition, thus affecting newborn nutrition and, potentially, brain development. Lactoferrin (Lf) is a major protein present in colostrum and the main protein in human milk, which plays an important role in the benefits of breastfeeding during postnatal development. It has been demonstrated that Lf has antimicrobial, as well as anti-inflammatory properties, and is potentially able to reduce the incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which are particularly frequent in premature births. The anti-inflammatory effects of Lf can reduce birth-related pathologies by decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory factors and inhibiting premature cervix maturation (also related to commensal microbiome abnormalities) that could contribute to disrupting brain development. Pre-clinical evidence shows that Lf protects the developing brain from neuronal injury, enhances brain connectivity and neurotrophin production, and decreases inflammation in models of perinatal inflammatory challenge, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). In this context, Lf can provide nutritional support for brain development and cognition and prevent the origin of neuropsychiatric diseases later in life. In this narrative review, we consider the role of certain nutrients during neurodevelopment linking to the latest research on lactoferrin with respect to neonatology. We also discuss new evidence indicating that early neuroprotective pathways modulated by Lf could prevent neurodegeneration through anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Henrique Schirmbeck
- Biochemistry Post-Graduate Program, Biochemistry Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil;
| | - Stéphane Sizonenko
- Division of Child Development and Growth, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Eduardo Farias Sanches
- Division of Child Development and Growth, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland;
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Karalexi MA, Katsimpris A, Panagopoulou P, Bouka P, Schüz J, Ntzani E, Petridou ET. Maternal lifestyle factors and risk of neuroblastoma in the offspring: A meta-analysis including Greek NARECHEM-ST primary data. Cancer Epidemiol 2022; 77:102055. [PMID: 35026707 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.102055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of childhood neuroblastoma remains largely unknown. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we summarized and quantitatively synthesized published evidence on the association of maternal modifiable lifestyle factors with neuroblastoma risk in the offspring. We searched MEDLINE up to December 31, 2020 for eligible studies assessing the association of maternal smoking, alcohol consumption and nutritional supplementation during pregnancy with childhood (0-14 years) neuroblastoma risk. Random-effects models were run, and summary odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) on the relevant associations were calculated, including estimates derived from primary data (n = 103 cases and n = 103 controls) of the Nationwide Registry for Childhood Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors (NARECHEM-ST) case control study (2009-2017) in Greece. Twenty-one eligible studies amounting 5163 cases participating in both case-control and cohort/linkage studies were included in the meta-analysis. Maternal smoking and alcohol consumption were not statistically significantly associated with neuroblastoma risk (summary ORsmoking: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.96-1.22, I2 =12.0%, n = 17 studies; summary ORalcohol: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.82-1.18, I2 =0.0%, n = 8 studies). By contrast, maternal vitamin intake during pregnancy was associated with significantly lower neuroblastoma risk (summary OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34-0.95, I2 =58.9%, n = 4 studies). The results of the largest to-date meta-analysis point to an inverse association between vitamin intake during pregnancy and childhood neuroblastoma risk. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and further specify these associations as to guide preventive efforts on modifiable maternal risk factors of childhood neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Karalexi
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health Promotion, Athens, Greece; Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Andreas Katsimpris
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health Promotion, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Panagiota Bouka
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health Promotion, Athens, Greece
| | - Joachim Schüz
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Lyon, France
| | - Evangelia Ntzani
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Eleni Th Petridou
- Hellenic Society for Social Pediatrics and Health Promotion, Athens, Greece; Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
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Irvine N, England-Mason G, Field CJ, Dewey D, Aghajafari F. Prenatal Folate and Choline Levels and Brain and Cognitive Development in Children: A Critical Narrative Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14020364. [PMID: 35057545 PMCID: PMC8778665 DOI: 10.3390/nu14020364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Women’s nutritional status during pregnancy can have long-term effects on children’s brains and cognitive development. Folate and choline are methyl-donor nutrients and are important for closure of the neural tube during fetal development. They have also been associated with brain and cognitive development in children. Animal studies have observed that prenatal folate and choline supplementation is associated with better cognitive outcomes in offspring and that these nutrients may have interactive effects on brain development. Although some human studies have reported associations between maternal folate and choline levels and child cognitive outcomes, results are not consistent, and no human studies have investigated the potential interactive effects of folate and choline. This lack of consistency could be due to differences in the methods used to assess folate and choline levels, the gestational trimester at which they were measured, and lack of consideration of potential confounding variables. This narrative review discusses and critically reviews current research examining the associations between maternal levels of folate and choline during pregnancy and brain and cognitive development in children. Directions for future research that will increase our understanding of the effects of these nutrients on children’s neurodevelopment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Irvine
- O’Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada;
| | - Gillian England-Mason
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (G.E.-M.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children’s Hospital, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada
| | - Catherine J. Field
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 4-126C Li Ka Shing Centre for Research, 11203-87th Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada;
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (G.E.-M.); (D.D.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children’s Hospital, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Health Research Innovation Centre, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3D10, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Fariba Aghajafari
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3D10, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, G012, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Lionaki E, Ploumi C, Tavernarakis N. One-Carbon Metabolism: Pulling the Strings behind Aging and Neurodegeneration. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020214. [PMID: 35053330 PMCID: PMC8773781 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
One-carbon metabolism (OCM) is a network of biochemical reactions delivering one-carbon units to various biosynthetic pathways. The folate cycle and methionine cycle are the two key modules of this network that regulate purine and thymidine synthesis, amino acid homeostasis, and epigenetic mechanisms. Intersection with the transsulfuration pathway supports glutathione production and regulation of the cellular redox state. Dietary intake of micronutrients, such as folates and amino acids, directly contributes to OCM, thereby adapting the cellular metabolic state to environmental inputs. The contribution of OCM to cellular proliferation during development and in adult proliferative tissues is well established. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence reveals the pivotal role of OCM in cellular homeostasis of non-proliferative tissues and in coordination of signaling cascades that regulate energy homeostasis and longevity. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on OCM and related pathways and discuss how this metabolic network may impact longevity and neurodegeneration across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Lionaki
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (E.L.); (C.P.)
| | - Christina Ploumi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (E.L.); (C.P.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Nektarios Tavernarakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; (E.L.); (C.P.)
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2810-391069
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Yang X, Sun W, Wu Q, Lin H, Lu Z, Shen X, Chen Y, Zhou Y, Huang L, Wu F, Liu F, Chu D. Excess Folic Acid Supplementation before and during Pregnancy and Lactation Alters Behaviors and Brain Gene Expression in Female Mouse Offspring. Nutrients 2021; 14:nu14010066. [PMID: 35010941 PMCID: PMC8746785 DOI: 10.3390/nu14010066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Use of folic acid (FA) during early pregnancy protects against birth defects. However, excess FA has shown gender-specific neurodevelopmental toxicity. Previously, we fed the mice with 2.5 times the recommended amount of FA one week prior to mating and during the pregnancy and lactation periods, and detected the activated expression of Fos and related genes in the brains of weaning male offspring, as well as behavioral abnormalities in the adults. Here, we studied whether female offspring were affected by the same dosage of FA. An open field test, three-chamber social approach and social novelty test, an elevated plus-maze, rotarod test and the Morris water maze task were used to evaluate their behaviors. RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in the brains. Quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blots were applied to verify the changes in gene expression. We found increased anxiety and impaired exploratory behavior, motor coordination and spatial memory in FA-exposed females. The brain transcriptome revealed 36 up-regulated and 79 down-regulated genes in their brains at weaning. The increase of Tlr1; Sult1a1; Tph2; Acacb; Etnppl; Angptl4 and Apold1, as well as a decrease of Ppara mRNA were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Among these genes; the mRNA levels of Etnppl; Angptl4andApold1 were increased in the both FA-exposed female and male brains. The elevation of Sult1a1 protein was confirmed by Western blots. Our data suggest that excess FA alteres brain gene expression and behaviors in female offspring, of which certain genes show apparent gender specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyue Yang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.Y.); (Q.W.); (X.S.); (L.H.)
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (H.L.); (F.W.)
| | - Wenyan Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (W.S.); (Z.L.); (Y.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Qian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.Y.); (Q.W.); (X.S.); (L.H.)
| | - Hongyan Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (H.L.); (F.W.)
| | - Zhixing Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (W.S.); (Z.L.); (Y.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.Y.); (Q.W.); (X.S.); (L.H.)
| | - Yongqi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (W.S.); (Z.L.); (Y.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (W.S.); (Z.L.); (Y.C.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Li Huang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.Y.); (Q.W.); (X.S.); (L.H.)
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (H.L.); (F.W.)
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Dandan Chu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (X.Y.); (Q.W.); (X.S.); (L.H.)
- Correspondence: (F.L.); (D.C.)
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Liu C, Messerlian C, Chen YJ, Mustieles V, Huang LL, Sun Y, Deng YL, Cheng YH, Liu J, Liu AM, Lu WQ, Wang YX. Trimester-specific associations of maternal exposure to disinfection by-products, oxidative stress, and neonatal neurobehavioral development. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 157:106838. [PMID: 34450548 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxicological studies suggest that maternal exposure to disinfection by-products (DBPs) can impair fetal neurodevelopment. However, evidence from epidemiological studies is scarce and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To explore the trimester-specific associations between maternal blood trihalomethane (THM) and urinary haloacetic acid (HAA) concentrations and neonatal neurobehavioral development, and the potential mediating role of oxidative stress (OS). METHODS We included 438 pregnant Chinese women from the Xiaogan Disinfection By-Products (XGDBP) birth cohort. Biospecimens were repeatedly collected across trimesters and measured for blood THMs, urinary HAAs, and urinary OS biomarker concentrations. On the third day after birth, the Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) test was administered to newborns. Associations of trimester-specific DBP measurements and OS biomarkers with neonatal NBNA scores were assessed using linear regression models with generalized estimating equations. The potential mediating role of maternal OS biomarkers was also investigated using mediation analyses. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders, blood bromodichloromethane (BDCM) concentrations in the first trimester were inversely associated with NBNA scores [percent change comparing the extreme BDCM tertiles = -28.1% (95% CI: -55.2%, -0.88%); p for trend = 0.043]. Besides, third-trimester urinary trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) concentrations were inversely associated with NBNA scores [percent change comparing the extreme TCAA tertiles = -32.9% (95% CI: -64.7%, -1.0%); p for trend = 0.046]. These inverse associations differed across pregnancy trimesters (Type 3p-value = 0.066 and 0.053, respectively) and were stronger in male infants and mothers aged ≥25 years. There was no evidence of mediating effect by 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mercapturic acid (HNE-MA), or 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-isoPGF2α). CONCLUSIONS Higher prenatal BDCM and TCAA concentrations during specific pregnancy trimesters were associated with lower NBNA scores. However, additional research is required to investigate underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Carmen Messerlian
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ying-Jun Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Li-Li Huang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yan-Ling Deng
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Ying-Hui Cheng
- The Maternal and Child Health Care Service Centre of Xiaonan District, Xiaogan City, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jing Liu
- The Maternal and Child Health Care Service Centre of Xiaonan District, Xiaogan City, Hubei, PR China
| | - A-Mei Liu
- The Maternal and Child Health Care Service Centre of Xiaonan District, Xiaogan City, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wen-Qing Lu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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Wu Q, Zhou D, Wu R, Shi R, Shen X, Jin N, Gu J, Gu JH, Liu F, Chu D. Excess folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy and lactation activates β-catenin in the brain of male mouse offspring. Brain Res Bull 2021; 178:133-143. [PMID: 34808323 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.11.008] [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: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Folic acid (FA) supplementation in early pregnancy is recommended to protect against birth defects. But excess FA has exhibited neurodevelopmental toxicity. We previously reported that the mice treated with 2.5-fold the dietary requirement of FA one week before mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation displayed abnormal behaviors in the offspring. Here we found the levels of non-phosphorylated β-catenin (active) were increased in the brains of weaning and adult FA-exposed offspring. Meanwhile, demethylation of protein phosphatase 2 A catalytic subunit (PP2Ac), which suppresses its enzyme activity in regulatory subunit dependent manner, was significantly inhibited. Among the upstream regulators of β-catenin, PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β but not Wnt signaling was stimulated in FA-exposed brains only at weaning. In mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells, knockdown of PP2Ac or leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 (LCMT-1), or overexpression of PP2Ac methylation-deficient mutant decreased β-catenin dephosphorylation. These results suggest that excess FA may activate β-catenin via suppressing PP2Ac demethylation, providing a novel mechanism for the influence of FA on neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, China
| | - Dingwei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, China
| | - Ruozhen Wu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, China
| | - Ruirui Shi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, 226018 Nantong, China
| | - Xin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, China
| | - Nana Jin
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, China
| | - Jianlan Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, China
| | - Jin-Hua Gu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong University, 226018 Nantong, China.
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY 10314, United States.
| | - Dandan Chu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, China.
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Groot J, Petersen TG, Suren P, Brantsæter AL, Uldall P, Martinussen T, Granström C, Olsen SF, Wilcox AJ, Strandberg-Larsen K. Maternal intake of folate during pregnancy and risk of cerebral palsy in the MOBAND-CP cohort. Am J Clin Nutr 2021; 115:397-406. [PMID: 34687208 PMCID: PMC8827124 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab351] [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: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Folate prevents neural tube defects and may play a role in some neurodevelopmental disorders. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether higher intakes of periconceptional or midpregnancy folate, as recommended, were associated with a reduced risk of offspring cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS We included participants from the Nordic collaboration cohort consisting of mother-child dyads in the Danish National Birth Cohort and the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study [combined as MOthers and BAbies in Norway and Denmark (MOBAND-CP)]. A total of 190,989 live-born children surviving the first year of life were included. Missing covariate data were multiply imputed. Our exposures were defined as any or no folic acid supplementation in gestational weeks (GWs) -4 to 8 (periconceptional), 9 to 12, and -4 to 12, and supplemental, dietary, and total folate during midpregnancy (GWs 22-25). CP overall and the unilateral and bilateral spastic subtypes, as well as CP with low or moderate/high gross motor function impairments, were our outcomes of interest. RESULTS Periconceptional folic acid supplementation was not associated with CP [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.02; 95% CI: 0.82-1.28]. However, supplementation in GWs 9 to 12 was associated with a reduced risk of CP (aOR, 0.74; 95% CI: 0.57-0.96), and inverse associations were indicated for both the unilateral (aOR, 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46-1.02) and bilateral (aOR, 0.70; 95% CI: 0.49-1.02) spastic subtypes, although the associations were not statistically significant. Supplemental or dietary folate in midpregnancy alone were not associated with CP. Strong inverse associations were observed with low gross motor function impairment (aOR, 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29-0.83), while for unilateral CP the aOR was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.34-1.22) for intakes of ≥500 compared to ≤199 dietary folate equivalents/day during midpregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that folate intakes in GWs 9 to 12 and midpregnancy were associated with lower risks of CP, while no association was observed for periconceptional supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanja G Petersen
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,Open Patient data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Pål Suren
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Uldall
- Pediatric Department, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark,Dianalund Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Torben Martinussen
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotta Granström
- Center for Fetal Programming, Division of Epidemiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sjurdur F Olsen
- Center for Fetal Programming, Division of Epidemiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark,Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allen J Wilcox
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Katrine Strandberg-Larsen
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Chen H, Qin L, Gao R, Jin X, Cheng K, Zhang S, Hu X, Xu W, Wang H. Neurodevelopmental effects of maternal folic acid supplementation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021:1-17. [PMID: 34672229 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1993781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Folic acid, a water-soluble vitamin B nutrient, plays an important role not only in maintaining a healthy pregnancy but also in offspring brain development and function, however, it remains unclear whether maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation associated with the risk of different postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of maternal FA supplementation on a wide range of postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes which include intellectual development, risk of autistic traits, ADHD, behavior, language, and psychomotor problems, using studies extracted from the following databases, including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, EMBASE, and PsychInfo. Thirty-two cohort studies and seven case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. In the present study, we found that prenatal FA supplementation had a positive impact on offspring's neurodevelopmental outcomes, including improved intellectual development and reduced risk of autism traits, ADHD, behavioral, and language problems. We also found that FA over-supplementation was not associated with an improvement in offspring's brain development, and may have a negative impact on offspring's neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study proved the first panoramic review on the relationship of FA supplementation with offspring's neurodevelopment. Further studies focusing on different dosages and periods of FA supplementation are needed.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1993781 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxiao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lang Qin
- Reproductive Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Reproductive Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaolei Jin
- Reproductive Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kemin Cheng
- Outpatient Department, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sirui Zhang
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Hu
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenming Xu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,SCU-CUHK Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongjing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of the Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Rubini E, Baijens IMM, Horánszky A, Schoenmakers S, Sinclair KD, Zana M, Dinnyés A, Steegers-Theunissen RPM, Rousian M. Maternal One-Carbon Metabolism during the Periconceptional Period and Human Foetal Brain Growth: A Systematic Review. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1634. [PMID: 34681028 PMCID: PMC8535925 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The maternal environment during the periconceptional period influences foetal growth and development, in part, via epigenetic mechanisms moderated by one-carbon metabolic pathways. During embryonic development, one-carbon metabolism is involved in brain development and neural programming. Derangements in one-carbon metabolism increase (i) the short-term risk of embryonic neural tube-related defects and (ii) long-term childhood behaviour, cognition, and autism spectrum disorders. Here we investigate the association between maternal one-carbon metabolism and foetal and neonatal brain growth and development. Database searching resulted in 26 articles eligible for inclusion. Maternal vitamin B6, vitamin B12, homocysteine, and choline were not associated with foetal and/or neonatal head growth. First-trimester maternal plasma folate within the normal range (>17 nmol/L) associated with increased foetal head size and head growth, and high erythrocyte folate (1538-1813 nmol/L) with increased cerebellar growth, whereas folate deficiency (<7 nmol/L) associated with a reduced foetal brain volume. Preconceptional folic acid supplement use and specific dietary patterns (associated with increased B vitamins and low homocysteine) increased foetal head size. Although early pregnancy maternal folate appears to be the most independent predictor of foetal brain growth, there is insufficient data to confirm the link between maternal folate and offspring risks for neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Rubini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.R.); (I.M.M.B.); (S.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Inge M. M. Baijens
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.R.); (I.M.M.B.); (S.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Alex Horánszky
- Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Health, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (A.H.); (A.D.)
- BioTalentum Ltd., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary;
| | - Sam Schoenmakers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.R.); (I.M.M.B.); (S.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Kevin D. Sinclair
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK;
| | | | - András Dinnyés
- Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Health, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (A.H.); (A.D.)
- BioTalentum Ltd., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary;
- HCEMM-USZ Stem Cell Research Group, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, H-6723 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.R.); (I.M.M.B.); (S.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Melek Rousian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.R.); (I.M.M.B.); (S.S.); (M.R.)
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Korsmo HW, Jiang X. One carbon metabolism and early development: a diet-dependent destiny. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2021; 32:579-593. [PMID: 34210607 PMCID: PMC8282711 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
One carbon metabolism (OCM) is critical for early development, as it provides one carbon (1C) units for the biosynthesis of DNA, proteins, and lipids and epigenetic modification of the genome. Epigenetic marks established early in life can be maintained and exert lasting impacts on gene expression and functions later in life. Animal and human studies have increasingly demonstrated that prenatal 1C nutrient deficiencies impair fetal growth, neurodevelopment, and cardiometabolic parameters in childhood, while sufficient maternal 1C nutrient intake is protective against these detrimental outcomes. However, recent studies also highlight the potential risk of maternal 1C nutrient excess or imbalance in disrupting early development. Further studies are needed to delineate the dose-response relationship among prenatal 1C nutrient exposure, epigenetic modifications, and developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter W Korsmo
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center CUNY (City University of New York), New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
| | - Xinyin Jiang
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center CUNY (City University of New York), New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA.
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Wit RF, Lucassen DA, Beulen YH, Faessen JPM, Bos-de Vos M, van Dongen JM, Feskens EJM, Wagemakers A, Brouwer-Brolsma EM. Midwives' Experiences with and Perspectives on Online (Nutritional) Counselling and mHealth Applications for Pregnant Women; an Explorative Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6733. [PMID: 34201452 PMCID: PMC8267613 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal nutrition is a key predictor of early-life development. However, despite mass campaigns to stimulate healthy nutrition during pregnancy, the diet of Dutch pregnant women is often suboptimal. Innovative technologies offer an opportunity to develop tailored tools, which resulted in the release of various apps on healthy nutrition during pregnancy. As midwives act as primary contact for Dutch pregnant women, the goal was to explore the experiences and perspectives of midwives on (1) nutritional counselling during pregnancy, and (2) nutritional mHealth apps to support midwifery care. Analyses of eleven in-depth interviews indicated that nutritional counselling involved the referral to websites, a brochure, and an app developed by the Dutch Nutrition Centre. Midwives were aware of the existence of other nutritional mHealth apps but felt uncertain about their trustworthiness. Nevertheless, midwives were open towards the implementation of new tools providing that these are trustworthy, accessible, user-friendly, personalised, scientifically sound, and contain easy-digestible information. Midwives stressed the need for guidelines for professionals on the implementation of new tools. Involving midwives early-on in the development of future nutritional mHealth apps may facilitate better alignment with the needs and preferences of end-users and professionals, and thus increase the likelihood of successful implementation in midwifery practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate F. Wit
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Department Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.F.W.); (D.A.L.); (Y.H.B.); (J.P.M.F.); (E.J.M.F.)
| | - Desiree A. Lucassen
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Department Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.F.W.); (D.A.L.); (Y.H.B.); (J.P.M.F.); (E.J.M.F.)
| | - Yvette H. Beulen
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Department Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.F.W.); (D.A.L.); (Y.H.B.); (J.P.M.F.); (E.J.M.F.)
- Health and Society, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Janine P. M. Faessen
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Department Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.F.W.); (D.A.L.); (Y.H.B.); (J.P.M.F.); (E.J.M.F.)
| | - Marina Bos-de Vos
- Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Landbergstraat 15, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands;
| | - Johanna M. van Dongen
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Edith J. M. Feskens
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Department Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.F.W.); (D.A.L.); (Y.H.B.); (J.P.M.F.); (E.J.M.F.)
| | - Annemarie Wagemakers
- Health and Society, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Elske M. Brouwer-Brolsma
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Department Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.F.W.); (D.A.L.); (Y.H.B.); (J.P.M.F.); (E.J.M.F.)
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47
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Li Q, Yang T, Chen L, Dai Y, Wu LJ, Jia FY, Hao Y, Li L, Zhang J, Ke XY, Yi MJ, Hong Q, Chen JJ, Fang SF, Wang YC, Wang Q, Jin CH, Dong ZF, Chen J, Li TY. Serum Folate Status Is Primarily Associated With Neurodevelopment in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders Aged Three and Under-A Multi-Center Study in China. Front Nutr 2021; 8:661223. [PMID: 34055856 PMCID: PMC8155683 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.661223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Folate has been demonstrated to be associated with ASD. However, current studies on the correlation between folate and symptoms of children with ASD have inconsistent conclusions, use mainly small samples, and lack age-stratified analysis. This study aimed to explore the association between serum folate and symptoms of autistic children at different age groups from a multi-center perspective. Methods: We enrolled 1,300 children with ASD and 1,246 typically developing (TD) children under 7 years old from 13 cities in China. The Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and Childhood autism rating scale (CARS) were used to evaluate the symptoms of children with ASD. China neuropsychological and Behavior Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016) scale was used to evaluate the neurodevelopment of children with ASD. Serum folate was measured by chemiluminescence assay in the two groups. Results: The serum folate levels of children with ASD were lower than that of TD children. In terms of core symptoms of ASD, we found that the serum folate levels were not associated with ABC, SRS, and CARS scores in ASD children of all ages but negatively associated with communication warning behavior scores of CNBS-R2016 in ASD children aged three and under. Concerning development quotients, it was at the age of three and under that serum folate levels were positively associated with gross motor, fine motor, language, and general quotient of ASD children. These ASD children aged three and under were further divided into two groups according to the median of serum folate (14.33 ng/mL); we found that compared to ASD children with folate ≤ 14.33 ng/mL, those with folate >14.33 ng/mL had lower communication warning behavior score and higher gross motor, fine motor, adaptive behavior, language, person-social, and general development quotients. Conclusion: We found that serum folate status was primarily associated with the neurodevelopment of children with ASD aged three and under. Furthermore, relatively higher serum folate levels may be more beneficial for children with ASD. Our results suggest that folate level should be paid more attention in ASD children, especially in early life, to better promote the intervention of ASD children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Dai
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Jie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fei-Yong Jia
- Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Hao
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Children Rehabilitation, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Haikou, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Children Health Care Center, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ke
- Child Mental Health Research Center of Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming-Ji Yi
- Department of Child Health Care, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qi Hong
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Baoan, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin-Jin Chen
- Department of Child Healthcare, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuan-Feng Fang
- Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi-Chao Wang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defect for Research and Prevention, Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Deyang Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Deyang, China
| | - Chun-Hua Jin
- Department of Children Health Care, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Fang Dong
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting-Yu Li
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Childhood Nutrition and Health, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
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Li Y, Zhang S, Snyder MP, Meador KJ. Precision medicine in women with epilepsy: The challenge, systematic review, and future direction. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 118:107928. [PMID: 33774354 PMCID: PMC8653993 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurologic conditions, affecting almost 70 million people worldwide. In the United States, 1.3 million women with epilepsy (WWE) are in their active reproductive years. Women with epilepsy (WWE) face gender-specific challenges such as pregnancy, seizure exacerbation with hormonal pattern fluctuations, contraception, fertility, and menopause. Precision medicine, which applies state-of-the art molecular profiling to diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic problems, has the potential to advance the care of WWE by precisely tailoring individualized management to each patient's needs. For example, antiseizure medications (ASMs) are among the most common teratogens prescribed to women of childbearing potential. Teratogens act in a dose-dependent manner on a susceptible genotype. However, the genotypes at risk for ASM-induced teratogenic deficits are unknown. Here we summarize current challenging issues for WWE, review the state-of-art tools for clinical precision medicine approaches, perform a systematic review of pharmacogenomic approaches in management for WWE, and discuss potential future directions in this field. We envision a future in which precision medicine enables a new practice style that puts focus on early detection, prediction, and targeted therapies for WWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Sai Zhang
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA, 94305, USA
| | - Michael P. Snyder
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kimford J. Meador
- Department of Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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49
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Pannia E, Hammoud R, Kubant R, Sa JY, Simonian R, Wasek B, Ashcraft P, Bottiglieri T, Pausova Z, Anderson GH. High Intakes of [6S]-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic Acid Compared with Folic Acid during Pregnancy Programs Central and Peripheral Mechanisms Favouring Increased Food Intake and Body Weight of Mature Female Offspring. Nutrients 2021; 13:1477. [PMID: 33925570 PMCID: PMC8146511 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Supplementation with [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (MTHF) is recommended as an alternative to folic acid (FA) in prenatal supplements. This study compared equimolar gestational FA and MTHF diets on energy regulation of female offspring. Wistar rats were fed an AIN-93G diet with recommended (2 mg/kg diet) or 5-fold (5X) intakes of MTHF or FA. At weaning, female offspring were fed a 45% fat diet until 19 weeks. The 5X-MTHF offspring had higher body weight (>15%), food intake (8%), light-cycle energy expenditure, and lower activity compared to 5X-FA offspring (p < 0.05). Both the 5X offspring had higher plasma levels of the anorectic hormone leptin at birth (60%) and at 19 weeks (40%), and lower liver weight and total liver lipids compared to the 1X offspring (p < 0.05). Hypothalamic mRNA expression of leptin receptor (ObRb) was lower, and of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (Socs3) was higher in the 5X-MTHF offspring (p < 0.05), suggesting central leptin dysregulation. In contrast, the 5X-FA offspring had higher expression of genes encoding for dopamine and GABA- neurotransmitter receptors (p < 0.01), consistent with their phenotype and reduced food intake. When fed folate diets at the requirement level, no differences were found due to form in the offspring. We conclude that MTHF compared to FA consumed at high levels in the gestational diets program central and peripheral mechanisms to favour increased weight gain in the offspring. These pre-clinical findings caution against high gestational intakes of folates of either form and encourage clinical trials examining their long-term health effects when consumed during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Pannia
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (E.P.); (R.H.); (R.K.); (J.Y.S.); (R.S.); (Z.P.)
| | - Rola Hammoud
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (E.P.); (R.H.); (R.K.); (J.Y.S.); (R.S.); (Z.P.)
| | - Ruslan Kubant
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (E.P.); (R.H.); (R.K.); (J.Y.S.); (R.S.); (Z.P.)
| | - Jong Yup Sa
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (E.P.); (R.H.); (R.K.); (J.Y.S.); (R.S.); (Z.P.)
| | - Rebecca Simonian
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (E.P.); (R.H.); (R.K.); (J.Y.S.); (R.S.); (Z.P.)
| | - Brandi Wasek
- Center of Metabolomics, Institute of Metabolic Disease, Baylor Scott and White Health, Dallas, TX 75226, USA; (B.W.); (P.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Paula Ashcraft
- Center of Metabolomics, Institute of Metabolic Disease, Baylor Scott and White Health, Dallas, TX 75226, USA; (B.W.); (P.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Teodoro Bottiglieri
- Center of Metabolomics, Institute of Metabolic Disease, Baylor Scott and White Health, Dallas, TX 75226, USA; (B.W.); (P.A.); (T.B.)
| | - Zdenka Pausova
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (E.P.); (R.H.); (R.K.); (J.Y.S.); (R.S.); (Z.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - G. Harvey Anderson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; (E.P.); (R.H.); (R.K.); (J.Y.S.); (R.S.); (Z.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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50
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Caffrey A, McNulty H, Rollins M, Prasad G, Gaur P, Talcott JB, Witton C, Cassidy T, Marshall B, Dornan J, Moore AJ, Ward M, Strain JJ, Molloy AM, McLaughlin M, Lees-Murdock DJ, Walsh CP, Pentieva K. Effects of maternal folic acid supplementation during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy on neurocognitive development in the child: an 11-year follow-up from a randomised controlled trial. BMC Med 2021; 19:73. [PMID: 33750355 PMCID: PMC7945668 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-01914-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation before and in early pregnancy prevents neural tube defects (NTD), but it is uncertain whether continuing FA after the first trimester has benefits on offspring health. We aimed to evaluate the effect of FA supplementation throughout pregnancy on cognitive performance and brain function in the child. METHODS Follow-up investigation of 11-year-old children, residing in Northern Ireland, whose mothers had participated in a randomised trial of Folic Acid Supplementation in the Second and Third Trimesters (FASSTT) in pregnancy and received 400 μg/day FA or placebo from the 14th gestational week. Cognitive performance (Full Scale Intelligence Quotient, Verbal Comprehension, Working Memory, Perceptual Reasoning, and Processing Speed) was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Neuronal function was assessed using magnetoencephalographic (MEG) brain imaging. RESULTS Of 119 mother-child pairs in the FASSTT trial, 68 children were assessed for neurocognitive performance at 11-year follow-up (Dec 2017 to Nov 2018). Children of mothers randomised to FA compared with placebo scored significantly higher in two Processing Speed tests, i.e. symbol search (mean difference 2.9 points, 95% CI 0.3 to 5.5, p = 0.03) and cancellation (11.3 points, 2.5 to 20.1, p = 0.04), whereas the positive effect on Verbal Comprehension was significant in girls only (6.5 points, 1.2 to 11.8, p = 0.03). MEG assessment of neuronal responses to a language task showed increased power at the Beta (13-30 Hz, p = 0.01) and High Gamma (49-70 Hz, p = 0.04) bands in children from FA-supplemented mothers, suggesting more efficient semantic processing of language. CONCLUSIONS Continued FA supplementation in pregnancy beyond the early period currently recommended to prevent NTD can benefit neurocognitive development of the child. MEG provides a non-invasive tool in paediatric research to objectively assess functional brain activity in response to nutrition and other interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN ISRCTN19917787 . Registered on 15 May 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife Caffrey
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Helene McNulty
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Mark Rollins
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Causeway Hospital, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Girijesh Prasad
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, Ulster University, Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Pramod Gaur
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, Ulster University, Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK.,Department of Computer Science, BITS Pilani, Dubai campus, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Joel B Talcott
- Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Caroline Witton
- Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tony Cassidy
- Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Barry Marshall
- Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Causeway Hospital, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - James Dornan
- Royal-Jubilee Maternity Service, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Adrian J Moore
- School of Environmental Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Mary Ward
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - J J Strain
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Anne M Molloy
- School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marian McLaughlin
- Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Diane J Lees-Murdock
- Genomics Medicine Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Colum P Walsh
- Genomics Medicine Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Kristina Pentieva
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK.
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